The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been an enthralling spectacle, with India’s cricket team displaying remarkable form in the group stages. They emerged victorious in all nine of their group matches, securing their spot in the semifinals, where they are set to face New Zealand in Mumbai. While the entire squad deserves accolades for their stellar performance, one man, in particular, has been the focal point of this campaign – Virat Kohli, the Indian batting stalwart.
Before the World Cup 2023 commenced, Virat Kohli found himself just two centuries away from achieving his 49th One Day International (ODI) hundred, a feat that would equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the most ODI centuries in cricketing history. The anticipation and excitement surrounding this milestone were palpable, and even the official broadcaster, Star Sports, joined the bandwagon, creating a whirlwind of hype and discussion.
Virat Kohli’s moment finally arrived when he scored his 49th hundred against South Africa at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, drawing praise and congratulations from cricket fans worldwide. However, amid the celebration, one issue that irked even the most die-hard Kohli fans was the excessive focus on the cricketer. Star Sports anchors seemed to pivot the discussion towards Virat Kohli and his impending century, even during matches involving other countries. This shift in focus raised concerns about the broadcaster’s handling of the tournament.
During a cricket World Cup, where the world’s finest talents gather to showcase their skills, it’s imperative to maintain a balanced narrative and highlight the achievements of all players on the team, who collectively contribute to the victories and dominance. Virat Kohli’s success is undoubtedly noteworthy, but it should not overshadow the achievements and contributions of his teammates.
Even during matches that did not involve the Indian team, Star Sports, as the official broadcaster, had a responsibility to provide unbiased analysis and in-depth commentary about the game at hand. However, they consistently steered the conversation back to Virat Kohli, seemingly for the sake of television ratings. This excessive focus on one player, at the expense of a comprehensive analysis of the entire match, left many cricket fans frustrated.
A Virat Kohli Fan Expressed Her Disappointment With Star Sports On X
A passionate Kohli supporter took to Twitter to vent her frustration, expressing her dismay at the way Star Sports handled their coverage. Her tweet read, “This World Cup, Star has been nothing but ridiculous. I’m a Kohli fan, but it’s just way too much about him. I didn’t want to say this before, but I’m super frustrated that a tournament like the World Cup is going on, and you’re talking/showing about Kohli the whole time. Bhayi, I’d like to hear about the other 10 players and 11 of the other team too. It’s the same in non-India games, too. Despite the fact that I love watching games on Star, this is something which is not acceptable to me.”
This sentiment expressed on social media resonated with many cricket fans who shared similar concerns about the coverage’s imbalance. While celebrating Virat Kohli’s achievements is important, the overemphasis on him may be detracting from the overall World Cup experience.
Cricket is a team sport, and the success of a team depends on the collective efforts of all its members. In the case of the Indian cricket team, the journey to the semifinals was a result of brilliant batting, superb fielding, and exceptional bowling performances. While Virat Kohli’s consistent performance with the bat deserves recognition, it is equally important to highlight the extraordinary contributions of players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and others.
