Ishant Sharma narrates story of how Virat Kohli took on bowlers at Under-17 trials

None of the modern day batsmen have performed as consistently as Virat Kohli in all the three formats in the last few years. He is undoubtedly one step ahead of his contemporaries.

Indian pace bowler Ishant Sharma has seen Virat Kohli’s remarkable rise in cricket from very close quarters. The India stars were close friends much before both of them made it to the international circuit. On his live interaction with his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, Ishant talked about the the rise of Virat Kohli from U-17 days.

Unreal Numbers

Kohli who is now 31 years of age, has hit a staggering 70 centuries and 104 half-centuries in international cricket. With 43 tons to his name, he is second in the list of most centuries in ODIs just behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He is the only player in the world with average of more than 50 in all the three formats of the game.

While this unimaginable rise of Kohli may have surprised quite a few people, Ishant Sharma who saw him through his U-17 days is not one among them.

Virat Kohli faced pacers without helmet says Ishant

Ishant Sharma has revealed his teammate was an exceptional talent right from his early days. The right-arm pacer recalled how Virat was not scared of facing any bowler while he was playing U17 cricket. He revealed that even at that age, he was facing even the fast bowlers without helmet. 

“I had first met him during the trial for an U17 team. There itself he was batting with 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 Sharma in a video shared by his IPL team Delhi Capitals.

Virat Kohli is fun loving says Ishant

Ishant who shares a brotherly bond with Virat also said the star batsman is a fun-loving person on and off the field and they keep in touch with each other even during off seasons.

“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 the 31-year-old Ishant, who has played 97 Tests and picked up 297 wickets.

For more cricket news, click here.