Rajkumar Sharma remembers emotional conversation with Virat Kohli after he bravely played in a Ranji Trophy match following his father’s death

New Delhi: India’s renowned cricketer Virat Kohli is known for his exceptional batting skills, unparalleled records, and masterful techniques. Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, recently shared a poignant story from the past, recalling a difficult conversation he had with the star player. During a Ranji Trophy match, on the same day that Virat Kohli lost his father, Rajkumar Sharma had to have a heart-to-heart talk with him. In Aditya Iyer’s book ‘Gully Gully: Travels Around India During The 2023 World Cup’, Rajkumar Sharma revealed that despite the emotional turmoil of losing his father, Virat Kohli was deeply disappointed at missing out on scoring a century in the match. This incident sheds light on Virat Kohli’s unwavering dedication and passion for the game, even in the face of personal tragedy.

It is worth mentioning that Virat Kohli’s father Prem Kohli died in December 2006. Rajkumar Sharma, who was in Sydney at that point, when he was in Australia received a call from the star batter at 2 a.m. IST. A young 18-year-old Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 40 in a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. The team was struggling a little at that time and they needed Virat Kohli’s services and looking at his personal loss, the teenager Virat Kohli went out to bat for Delhi.

In an extract from the book published on Cricbuzz, Rajkumar Sharma revealed the conversation he had had with Virat Kohli after his father passed away.

‘It was a very difficult time because his father was a very dear friend of mine. He was such a good soul as well. … When it happened, I was in Sydney, I had taken my academy’s team to Australia. Virat called me around 2 a.m. India time, and he was crying, just crying . . . I was in shock, so I told him, “Beta, just give me a minute I will call you back.” I needed to gather myself, to be honest,” Rajkumar Sharma revealed.

“When I called him, he told me he was in the middle of a Ranji game and that this was the position of his team and his innings, and Delhi could follow on if not for his appearance the next day. I asked him what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to bat. So, I told him to go ahead. I needed to be strong for him,” Rajkumar Sharma added.

Talking about the match conditions and state, the response to Karnataka’s 446, hosts Delhi were 103-5 at stumps on Day 2, with Virat Kohli unbeaten on 40. The talented youngster not only went on out to bat on Day 3 but also scored a fighting 90. After the magical and furious knock, Rajkumar Sharma and Virat Kohli had another chat, sharing details of the same, the coach said…

“He called me again, at lunch once he had gotten out, and again the child was crying, but not because of what you think. Virat said over the phone, “Mujhe galat out diya gaya hai, mera sau reh gaya (I was given out wrongly, I should’ve gotten a hundred).” That is his level of passion for the game. How could he not make it?”

Later on, the star Indian batter went on to lead India to a famous win in the 2008 U-19 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur. The star batter made his international debut the same year in a one-dayer against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.