Virat Kohli
Get firmly acquainted with India's U/19 captain and sensation. Listen to his EXCLUSIVE interview.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Vigour and fortitude personified
Attributes: Right-hand higher middle-order batsman and right-arm medium bowler
Virat Kohli, the skipper of the spirited Under/19 unit at the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia has exhibited indomitable nerves besides his flamboyant exploits with the bat. At the recently concluded event, he amassed a total of 235 runs in six matches, braving through minor injuries. The Delhi batsman emerged as the third leading run-getter in the tournament and the second Indian captain to lift the Under-19 title after Mohammad Kaif bagged it in 2000. Samyukta Somvanshi tells us more...
 © Sportz Interactive Virat (left) and coach Dav Whatmore after the U/19 World Cup triumph |
He gnashed a century just off 74 balls against West Indies - bagging a berth in the quarters. In the semifinal he hauled two wickets as well as battered 43 runs, partnering Shreevats Goswami to chase down the tricky target. In testing times, he has proven his mettle.
Background and Training
Virat Kohli’s initial stint with the sport was through gully cricket in parks and colonies like any other Indian kid. His father, Prem Kohli enrolled him into the West Delhi Cricket Club at the age of nine. Raj Kumar Sharma, a former Ranji player and Suresh Batra found the West Delhi Cricket Academy on May 30, 1997. The kid’s consistency at the nets made him a cut above the rest. He started off his schooling at Vishal Bharti. Later, he shifted to Xavier Convent in ninth standard to ensure his practice was unaffected.
Prior to his first-class debut, he had notched up spectacular performances at different levels and various age-group tournaments. At the age of 15, he scored a double century for Delhi in the Vijay Merchant Trophy. In the Under/17 Championships in 2005, he pounded a staggering 251 against Himachal Pradesh successfully paving his way to the Under/19 team.
The youngster made his maiden appearance in first-class cricket with the Delhi team against Tamil Nadu in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy. According to him, the first season was unremarkable but it served as a platform for learning and improving in the second season wherein he performed remarkably well.
His late father earnestly wished that he should become an international cricketer someday. After his demise in 2006, Virat started pursuing the dream with more hunger.
Addressing a press conference after the U/19 World Cup victory, an emotional Virat said “I want to dedicate this win to the team and especially my father, who had a dream that I would do something special for my country someday. I have done that and am glad.” Virat admitted that the Indian seniors' victory at the Commonwealth Bank Series spurred his team. Read the report here.
Elder brother post U/19 euphoria
“We have never put him under any pressure and allowed him to follow his heart. He is very positive at whatever he does. Winning a World Cup is a big thing and we are happy about his feat.”
Mithun Manhas when Virat stayed back despite his father’s demise
“Hats off to his attitude and determination.”
Coach Raj Kumar Sharma
“I can’t remember Virat ever missing a practice session. I can’t remember him shirking. He wants to play every match possible.”
SA U/19 captain Wayne Parnell on the eve of the World Cup final
"Obviously the captain [Virat] is a big player; if we can knock him out early it'll be a big boost. The whole [Indian] team really looks to him for security.”
Grits and Guts
The youngster put on display the doughty spirit of a sportsperson on Day 3 of the Delhi versus Karnataka Ranji Trophy Super League tie on December 20, 2006. None of his teammates expected the budding star to take the field on that tragic day. Virat’s father expired that morning, despite which he curbed his emotions, stuck to his task and scored a credible 90 to build a score of 152 with teammate Puneet Bisht. While returning to the pavilion he was teary eyed yet unruffled and received a standing ovation.
During the influx of 2008, he demonstrated more brilliance. He scored 65 runs in the first Test against South Africa and picked up three wickets in the second. He also led his team to victory in the Tri-Nation Under-19 tournament which featured Sri Lanka and hosts South Africa.
The prized coup in Malaysia has brought to attention a pool of talented youngsters who may not be far away from donning national colours - with captain Virat Kohli at the helm, leading from the front and gaining prominence amongst his peers.
He will represent Bangalore team - Royal Challengers in the upcoming Indian Premier League. It will be a great opening for Virat to rub his shoulders alongside the likes of Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and the rest.
WHY A YOUNG GUN?
- Virat proved his commitment towards the game and unfaltering fortitude through his feats in First Class and List A cricket, especially in the Delhi vs Karnataka Ranji Trophy Super League match.
- The 19-year-old’s batting average is 45.00 in first-class cricket and an impressive 51.77 in Under/19 Tests. He averages 46.57 in U/19 ODIs.
- Like most successful batsmen in limited-overs cricket, he has developed a whippy knack of converting singles into doubles and scoring briskly. He displayed the same during his brilliant 74-ball ton against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur.
- As a skipper, he has led the squad through fabulous performances and wise decisions to bring in bowlers.
- A repute of handling pressure and dominating on the field has distinguished him from other young players.
