From Scooter Rides to Stardom: The Making of Virat Kohli
NEW DELHI: Picture this—a young, 12-year-old Virat Kohli, perched behind his father Prem Nath Kohli on a humble scooter, kit bag balanced at the front, weaving through the bustling streets of Delhi. This is the vivid memory etched in the mind of former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan, who played four Tests and nine ODIs for India. On a quiet Sunday morning at Rajkumar Sharma’s academy in Paschim Vihar, Wassan first laid eyes on a chubby-cheeked Virat, accompanied by his father and elder brother Vikas.
As was routine for new students, Virat and Vikas padded up to face a few deliveries. With each shot—crisp, confident, and composed—Wassan and Rajkumar exchanged knowing glances. In a light-hearted moment, they quipped, “Virat Kohli ko chhod do, dusre bhai ko padha likha lo” (Leave Virat here, focus on educating the other brother). Little did they know, this seemingly casual remark marked the inception of a journey that would redefine Indian cricket.
Fast forward eight years to 2006, and Wassan, recognizing the prodigy in Virat, selected him to represent Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu. From that modest beginning, the 12-year-old dreamer transformed into a global cricket icon, amassing records and rewriting history with every swing of his bat.
Spotting the ‘X-Factor’: Early Days of a Legend
“I vividly remember that day,” Wassan reminisced in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com. “He arrived at our academy with his father and brother when he was just 12. Even then, there was something extraordinary about him. We couldn’t have predicted he’d scale such heights, but you could sense he had the ‘X-factor’—an unexplainable spark.”
Wassan drew parallels with another legend, Sachin Tendulkar, whom he toured with when Sachin was just 16. “Talent alone isn’t enough,” Wassan emphasized. “Many have it, but sustaining it, evolving through challenges, staying grounded amidst fame and commercialization, and excelling across formats with varying pressures—that’s rare. When everything aligns, you witness the birth of talents like Tendulkar and Kohli.”
A Career Beyond Numbers: Retirement and Reflections
Virat’s journey reached a poignant chapter in 2024 after India clinched the T20 World Cup title. Announcing his retirement from T20 Internationals, and later Test cricket, Kohli left fans heartbroken, especially with anticipated series like the one in England on the horizon. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he wrote, “I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude—for the game, for my teammates, and for every person who made me feel seen along the way.”
The Baggy Blue #269 will no longer grace the Test arena, but Virat’s staggering numbers speak for themselves. With 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, he stands as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer, trailing only behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,288 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs). Across all formats, Kohli’s career tally of over 27,000 international runs cements his status as one of the game’s greatest.
Reflecting on Kohli’s retirement, Wassan noted, “Test cricket demands immense mental and physical endurance. Virat understands his limits. He’s conquered the game, continues to dominate in the IPL, and stays supremely fit. Now, with a family and two children, he’s achieved everything. He might even aim for the Olympics if cricket makes it there in 2028. Ultimately, a player knows best when to step away.”
Redefining Cricket: Kohli’s Lasting Legacy
Numbers like chasing 10,000 Test runs—a milestone Kohli is just 770 runs shy of—don’t define him, Wassan argues. “Players like Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist changed cricket’s dynamics, and Virat has done the same in his era. His impact transcends statistics. From the chants of ‘Sachin! Sachin!’ to ‘Virat! Virat!’, he has carried forward a legacy while carving his own.”
From scooter rides to stadium roars, Virat Kohli’s journey is a testament to talent nurtured by grit, focus, and an unrelenting passion for cricket. As he steps away from certain formats, his story continues to inspire millions, proving that greatness isn’t just born—it’s built, one determined step at a time.