Ton againstu00a0NZ could well mean that Virat Kohli has cemented his World Cup spot

Kudos, kid: Yuvraj Singh congratulates Virat Kohli at the end of the first one-day international against New Zealand at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati yesterday. PIC/AFP

Virat Kohli is the man of the hour; a man on a mission. Already famous for being the fastest Indian to score 1000 ODI runs, the 22-year-old brought up his fourth hundred at Guwahati against the touring New Zealanders yesterday. With India's batting order more or less settled for next year's World Cup, Kohli could give the team management a selectorial headache when it comes to the playing XI.

Anyone who has followed Kohli's career since his U-16 and U-19 days, knows that the batsman thrives on responsibility. Kohli has displayed the attitude needed to succeed at the international arena. A few former Delhi cricketers are even talking about him as a future India captain.

In an exclusive t te- -t te with this correspondent before the Guwahati ODI, Kohli said that batting at different positions has improved both his skill and temperament. "It is a huge learning curve to bat at different positions. It not only helps an individual, but also gives the team a good option. I want to be known as somebody who is willing to bat anywhere," said Kohli.

Remember, his first assignment as an India batsman was as an opener (a position he rarely batted in for his school and university teams) during the tour of Sri Lanka in 2008.u00a0 "I am not somebody who basks in the past.

Of course, the Vizag hundred against Aussies was the most satisfying of my career but I look forward to many more big knocks, especially in the absence of senior players.

"I desperately want to contribute to the team's wins. Scoring against the Kiwis will brighten my chances of playing the World Cup, which is every cricketer's dream. But, I am not thinking too far ahead and just concentrating on the current series," said Kohli of the ongoing five-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Yesterday, a member of the All-India Selection Committee said: "Virat's place in the World Cup squad was discussed at a meeting few months ago. Everyone is very impressed with the poise and character he has displayed.
"We all reckon he is a star of the future. In fact, the Indian captain has also spoken very highly of him. To say whether he will play in the starting XI of the World Cup is difficult right now. It will be a tough call for everyone involved because India's top six is more or less set. But, Virat is a matured individual and knows that his time will come."

What makes Virat Kohli so special

>> Four man-of-the-match awards in his 36-match ODI career. The break-up: 79 not out v West Indies at Johannesburg in September last year, 102 not out v Bangladesh at Dhaka in January, 118 v Australia at Visakhapatnam in October and now 105 v New Zealand at Guwahati. All three hundreds came this year. How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Kirsten to quit as coach after WC?› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT