Former India cricketer's playful ‘short-ish’ remark on Virat Kohli sparks height and batting debate

Former cricketer’s light-hearted comment on Virat Kohli being “short-ish” turned into a thoughtful reflection on how stature shapes batting styles in cricket.

Virat Kohli (Image | ICC on X)

When Rahul Dravid shares his thoughts on cricket, it is usually measured, analytical, and deeply insightful. But on the Haal Chaal Aur Sawaal podcast, the former India captain found himself mixing humour with expertise in a way that quickly caught attention.

Speaking about the relationship between a batter’s height and their style at the crease, Dravid playfully described Virat Kohli as “short-ish,” immediately acknowledging with a smile that Kohli himself might not appreciate the label. What started as light-hearted banter soon turned into a masterclass on how physique can influence batting aesthetics and effectiveness.

Dravid reflected on how shorter players through history have often been admired for their elegance and balance. He pointed to legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and even Sir Don Bradman, explaining that their lower center of gravity allowed them to stay more stable while playing strokes.

This natural poise often translated into batting that was pleasing to the eye, marked by timing and control rather than sheer power. Including Kohli in that category was both a compliment and a playful nudge, highlighting how his compact frame has been central to his remarkable success.

"Gavaskar was a beautifully balanced player. I always remember, he always seemed to. There was a stillness when he stood, which is what I admired. I was always slightly taller, so I didn;t copy anything. I just stood in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. Tendulkar again was very balanced. Shorter people have the advantage of looking more balanced because the centre of gravity is lower. That’s what they say. A lot of great batters over the years have been shorter people. Look at Gavaskar, or Tendulkar or a [Brian] Lara or a [Ricky] Ponting… going back to [Donald] Bradman. Kohli is short-ish. Virat Kohli might not like me calling him shortish, though," said Rahul Dravid on the Haal Chaal Aur Sawaal Podcast with Ashish Kaushik.

At the same time, Dravid was quick to draw a contrast with taller batters who thrive in the power-hitting side of the modern game. With the rise of T20 cricket, physicality has become just as important as finesse, and players such as Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Kevin Pietersen, and Yuvraj Singh have used their height and reach to dominate bowlers with explosive six-hitting. Dravid noted that their stature gave them an advantage when it came to clearing boundaries, something that has changed the dynamics of contemporary batting.

Interestingly, Dravid’s own career offered a different example. Standing taller than the likes of Tendulkar or Gavaskar but not as imposing as the modern power hitters, he built his legacy on patience, impeccable technique, and an unshakable temperament. His batting showed that cricketing greatness is not solely determined by physical attributes but by adapting one’s strengths to different challenges.

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