. England, UK
Virat Kohli recalls his father's advice that acts as his driving force
Virat Kohli is considered one of the greatest cricketers in the modern era. (Photo credit: File/AP/PTI)
- Virat Kohli changed the face of the Indian cricket in more than one way
- The right-handed batsman captained the Indian U-19 team to a victory against South Africa
- He is currently leading India in a five-match Test series against England
India captain Virat Kohli is considered one of the greatest cricketers in the modern era. The right-handed batsman carved a place for himself in the senior team after captaining the U-19 team to a famous victory against South Africa in 2008. It took a little bit of time for him to make a name for himself in the senior ranks but once he did it was next to impossible to keep him out of action.
From setting high fitness standards in the team to being a live wire on the field to scoring runs at will and breaking records like it is an everyday job, the cricketer from Delhi changed the face of Indian cricket in more than one way.
While he enjoys the view from the top, he hoped that his father was there to see all of his achievements. Kohli's lost his father in his teens.
Kohli, who is currently leading the Indian cricket team in a five-match Test series against England, in a chat with wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, recalled what his father had told to him that stuck to him for the rest of his life.
"My father said, ‘I am not going to pay a single penny to make him play, if he can play on his talent, so be it, if not, it is not meant to be for him. That stuck with me for life. I always relied on myself and what I can do as an individual first. When my back is against the wall there is only one way for me and that’s forward and I will do everything in my power to fight my way up again," Kohli said.
As for the Test series against England, this will be one of the toughest series for Kohli with his strategic acumen being put to test against a potent English side. History has been unkind to the Men in Blue when it comes to Tests in the United Kingdom. And this time around, the visitors will be hoping to pull a rabbit of the hat and eye a series-thumping win.