Indian batting icon Virat Kohli met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in London on Friday. During the courtesy meeting, the two discussed issues related to sports, infrastructure, and various government schemes initiated by the state government.
Following the meeting, Deputy CM Shinde spoke to ANI, describing Kohli as a “down-to-earth” individual. “Virat Kohli lives in London, and when he learned that I am here, he met me for a goodwill visit. I was delighted that such a big Indian cricketer, the one with the most centuries, is so down-to-earth. We had met before, but I was particularly happy with the direct conversation we had today. We also discussed the award I received. I told him about various welfare schemes in Maharashtra. I spoke about infrastructure, and he himself remarked that the development Maharashtra has seen in recent years is unprecedented. I also shared our future plans and the infrastructure projects currently underway, such as the ‘Third Mumbai’ development near the airport, the Atal Setu, the Balasaheb Thackeray Samruddhi Mahamarg, the coastal road, the metro, and initiatives regarding schools and healthcare,” he told ANI.
“We discussed all these matters, and I highlighted the work we are doing on infrastructure in Maharashtra. The state currently ranks number one in GDP, startups, infrastructure, and FDI. He was delighted to hear about the transformation and development taking place in Maharashtra, recognising the positive impact these initiatives will have on people’s lives. The award I received was also based on these very themes: infrastructure, development, the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme and the ‘Government at Your Doorstep’ initiative. We discussed these topics, and he was very pleased. I, too, was happy to meet him. We discussed how to help the new generation excel in competitions and how to nurture their talent — after all, the youth are the future of our country. He shared some valuable ideas in this regard, which will undoubtedly benefit both Maharashtra and the nation,” he added.
This year in ODIs, Kohli has scored 384 runs in six innings at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate of over 106, including a century and three fifties. He was recently in action during the ODIs in England in August, where he scored 144 runs across three innings, including two fifties and a best score of 74.
Kohli will continue his pursuit of a 100th century — a milestone that would make him only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to reach it — during the home series against West Indies starting September 27. The series will offer the 37-year-old three ODIs to further extend his century tally, which currently stands at 85.
With 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs and 302 innings at an average of 58.59, along with 54 centuries and 79 fifties, Kohli is regarded as one of the finest, and arguably the finest, ODI batter of all time. He needs just 59 more runs to become only the second batter in ODI history to reach the 15,000-run mark.
(With ANI Inputs)