India’s star batsman Virat Kohli was the centre of attention during Delhi’s practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium ahead of their game against Railways. Following a disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed just 190 runs in five matches, Kohli has turned to domestic cricket to regain his form ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19.
Amidst his training, a young boy approached Kohli with an innocent yet ambitious question:
"Indian cricketer banne ke liye kya karna padega?" (What does it take to become an Indian cricketer?)
Kohli, known for his discipline and work ethic, responded with inspiring advice:
"You need to work extremely hard. Your father shouldn’t have to remind you to train. You should wake up on your own, eager to practice. If someone practices for an hour, you should train for two."
Emphasizing dedication, he continued, "If someone scores fifty, aim for a hundred. If they score a hundred, you go for two hundred. Always push beyond the benchmark. The key is to keep working hard and enjoy the game."
Surprisingly, the young boy, Kabir Khan, is the son of Kohli’s childhood friend Shawej Khan, a former Delhi cricketer. Kohli and Shawej played together at the U-16 and U-19 levels for Delhi.
This heartwarming exchange highlights Kohli’s relentless mindset and his desire to inspire future generations.