A typical modern-day cricketer, Virat Kohli plays his game aggressively, bares his emotions loudly in public, yet retains the element of maturity that forms an integral part of every good and great player. Anil Kumble said he had thought hard before calling Kohli the best under-22 player in international cricket - that would rate as perhaps the best compliments he has received. It is also proof of Kohli's transformation as a player.

Kohli himself readily admitted to committing mistakes and walking the wrong path in the immediate aftermath of becoming only the second India captain to win the Under-19 World Cup in 2008. Monikers such as brash, arrogant were stuck on him as Kohli struggled to balance his career and the adulation that came with success. But some introspection and the expert guidance from the Indian team's seniors allowed Kohli to bounce back.

Today he is recognised for his fast-growing maturity. Even in the presence, or absence, of his other prolific partners, Kohli has become one of the most dependable batsmen in the Indian middle order. He was an important presence during India's World Cup triumph, where he struck an important century in the tournament opener and then played his hand in the summit clash with a patient 35 which formed a crucial part of the third-wicket partnership with Gautam Gambhir that allowed India to recover from the early loss of the openers. Before he turned 23, Kohli already had seven ODI centuries with four of them coming in run-chases. Add his electric fielding to the mix, and Kohli has been a vital cog in the Indian team over the last couple of years.

His gung-ho attitude, his youthful charm and his aggression have also made him the mascot of his IPL team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Kohli has repaid the franchise by helping Bangalore reach the finals of the 2009 and 2010 IPL seasons and then almost single-handedly taking them to the title clash in the 2011 Champions League Twenty20. His ability to assess situations and seize the moments make Kohli one of the most exciting young talents to watch out for in the international circuit. His challenge now is to prove his mettle in the Test cricket - a return of 76 runs in the three-Test series in the Caribbean in 2011 didn't do justice to Kohli's desire and ability.
Nagraj Gollapudi