Virat Kohli Snubbed in Cover Drive and GOAT Rankings

Virat Kohli's status as a modern batting icon is facing fresh scrutiny after a series of high-profile snubs. The star was omitted from a legendary player's all-time cover-drive list and lost a head-to-head vote to a teammate in a recent bracket, sparking widespread debate among fans and pundits.

Is Virat Kohli not a top-five cover-driver?

Former England captain David Gower recently ranked his five greatest exponents of the cover drive. His list, shared via Wisden during the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, included three Englishmen: himself, Ian Bell, and Joe Root. Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara completed the top four. Gower's final pick was West Indian great Brian Lara.

Kohli, with 28,359 international runs and 85 centuries, was a shocking omission. Many consider his cover drive a signature shot of the modern era. The exclusion has prompted questions about the subjective criteria used for such historical comparisons.

Did Ashwin really pick Bumrah over Kohli?

In a separate event, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin created an ultimate bracket of the country's greatest cricketers for ESPNcricinfo. While Sachin Tendulkar ultimately won, Ashwin's earlier choices caused a stir. In a direct matchup, he selected fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah over Virat Kohli.

Ashwin's bracket saw Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, eliminate the legendary batsman. Other notable calls included Virender Sehwag beating MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly defeating Ashwin himself. The exercise highlights the ongoing debate about comparing players across different roles and eras.

What is Kohli's new tattoo all about?

Away from the field, Kohli has kept fans guessing with a new personal project. A tattoo artist from Aliens Tattoo Studio, where Kohli often gets inked, posted behind-the-scenes glimpses of work on the cricketer's arm. The artist called it a "work in progress" after five long sessions, involving different styles.

The post suggests Kohli is expanding his elaborate sleeve tattoo, though the design and meaning remain secret. He has previously used body art to mark personal milestones and beliefs, like a lotus-themed sleeve revealed earlier this year. This slow, artistic process offers a glimpse into his life off the pitch.

How did an ex-cricketer mock de Villiers' Kohli take?

The debate about Kohli's standing also drew a sharp reaction from a former India player. He mocked South African great AB de Villiers over a recent comparison between Kohli and Tendulkar. The ex-cricketer's jibe, telling de Villiers to "pass on the weed," was widely reported, showing how heated these legacy conversations can become.

• Cover Drive Snub: David Gower's top-five cover-drivers list included no Indian, omitting Virat Kohli despite his 85 international centuries.
• Bracket Defeat: Ravichandran Ashwin chose Jasprit Bumrah over Kohli in his ultimate Indian cricketer bracket, which was eventually won by Sachin Tendulkar.
• Body Art Project: Kohli is undergoing a multi-session tattoo project on his arm, with the final design still under wraps after five sessions.

These events show Kohli remains a central figure in cricket discourse, whether for his on-field legacy or his off-field persona.