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Kohli, known for being a firebrand back in the day, has mellowed with age as noted by the coach himself. However, Sharma also noted that the aggression he exuded during his younger days still resides in him while batting.
India’s Virat Kohli celebrates after beating Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Team India roared into the semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with their emphatic win over Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday riding on Virat Kohli’s unbeaten ton. The star batter, who also scaled 14,000 runs en route to his century that helped Indian get over the line, pointed to his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma who was present in the UAE to witness his ward’s match-winning innings.
Sharma, who is not the director of DDCA, revealed that it was Kohli himself that invited him to watch the highly-billed game.
“Virat Kohli himself gave me tickets for the stand. I am staying at his hotel. So he was aware I was in the stands and it makes me feel proud. As a coach nothing gives you more satisfaction,” Sharma said.
Kohli, who continued his incredible record against Pakistan, has demonstrated shades of getting back his form, but was heavily criticised for his slump in recent times and Sharma feels that
“There are very high expectations from him. Everyone expects him to win a match for the country every time he takes the field, and also score big runs. He has done it on countless occasions for the country and is the biggest match-winner,” the coach said.
“I don’t think anyone would have won so many matches for India,” he continued.
“When he doesn’t get going in a few games, everyone thinks he is failing. It’s not like that. Class always remains. Form can be a bit up and down or you can get a good ball sometimes. End of the day it shows that even he is human,” he added.
Sharma brushed aside suggestions that the star batter was past his prime as he dismissed them as “all baseless rumours. He has a lot of cricket left in him. If you look at him – his body language, his fitness, his skills. There is hardly any comparison,” he said.
Kohli, who was known for being a firebrand back in the day, has mellowed with age as noted by the coach himself. However, Sharma also noted that the aggression he exuded during his younger days still resides in him while batting.
“That happens with age, one matures. He was aggressive earlier and still is when he is playing. Aggression is his strength,” Sharma said.
“He was humble from the beginning but people used to think of him as a brash youngster who has tattoos and hairstyles. If you speak to him, know him then you would know that he is a humble guy and very respectful,” he added.
“Virat Kohli has become religious, mellowed down after marriage and kids,” he asserted.
Sharma went on to add that despite scepticism and criticism surrounding Kohli, the majority of the nation does indeed wish him well.
“I want to know why there is so much criticism. After all, he is also human. He has contributed so much that you must praise his contribution for the country,” he said.
“People should realise that a lot of cricket is left in Virat Kohli. There could be people of a negative mindset or sadists who continue to criticise him. But the entire nation is his well-wisher and wants him to do well,” he said.
Sharma also said he was assured that Kohli would rise up to the occasion to help India over the line.
“I was very confident, he was very confident. He is always very confident. You can make that out from his body language. He is very strong mentally too so I was sure he would do well,” he concluded.
