Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has been named in TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world this year.
"TIME's annual list of the world's most influential people is a designation of individuals whose time, in our estimation, is now," the magazine said.
Writing Kohli's profile, legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said Kohli's "hunger for runs and consistency" has been remarkable and has become the "hallmark of his game."
Tendulkar recalls the Under-19 World Cup in 2008 where he had watched Kohli lead India. Tendulkar said the U-19 World Cup was very important for India, as it would define the next bunch of youngsters who would go on to represent the nation.
"That was the first time I watched this young, passionate player lead India. Today, Virat Kohli is a household name and a champion in cricket. Even back then, his hunger for runs and consistency was remarkable, something that has become the hallmark of his game," Tendulkar said of Kohli.
"Virat took the criticism he faced during a disappointing West Indies series and returned home with a goal: to improve not only his technique, but also his fitness level. He's never looked back," Tendulkar said.
The list this year includes Ola co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal, Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone and Microsoft's Indian-born CEO Satya Nadella among others.
Actress Nicole Kidman, 'Wonder Women' starrer Gal Gadot, Prince Harry, his fiance Meghan Markle, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who is an openly gay son of an Indian immigrant, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina and singer Rihanna also feature on the list.
