He did not have any fear of fast bowlers: Ishant Sharma remembers meeting Virat Kohli for the first time

From an aggressive chubby teenager to a world-class batsman and athlete– Virat Kohli’s road to success is truly remarkable. After grabbing the limelight through his performance at the U19 level, there was no looking back for the current India skipper. After breaking into the national side, Kohli’s pursuit of excellence didn’t stop as he went on to become one of the best across the international circuit.

Kohli’s batting records prove his worth as he is the only batsman in present-day cricket who clocks an average in excess of 50 in all three formats. He has earned accolades from many teammates and former cricketers for his consistency, mentality and batting technique. Kohli’s teammate and good friend, Ishant Sharma, who has seen his rise since the U-17 level, said that he’s not surprised a bit by the Indian skipper’s tremendous success.

“I had first met him during the trial for an under-17 team. There itself he was batting with a cap at nets and even in the match against all kind of bowlers. Pacers, spinners he did not have any issue facing them. Some of the boys were bowling really fast but he did not have any fear,” said Ishant in a video shared by his IPL team Delhi Capitals.

‘We still share a lot of jokes’: Ishant Sharma

Ishant also revealed that he has known Kohli since the U17 days and hence, they end up talking a lot. Both the Delhi players still joke a lot and Kohli’s habit of having fun around his teammates hasn’t changed even after donning the skipper’s hat. According to Ishant, he shares a special bond with Kohli and both the players keep in touch even when the pacer is not in the team.

“We know each other from the U17 days and we end up talking to each other a lot. He always loves to have fun around teammates. It has not changed at all even after he became the captain. We still share a lot of jokes and laughter and even when I am not in the team we have kept in touch with each other, and it is a special kind of bonding,” said 31-year-old Ishant.

Ishant and Kohli would have come against each other if the IPL 2020 was played as per schedule. But the tournament has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With no sporting action at the moment, the BCCI is currently searching to fix an alternate window to host the cash-rich league.

Here’s the video:

From U-17 trials to #TeamIndia colleagues, @ImIshant sheds light on his friendship with @imVkohli 🤝#YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/0hxgUqzFBC

— Delhi Capitals (Tweeting from Home🏠) (@DelhiCapitals) May 28, 2020