The Making Of Virat Kohli
Man's World|June 2019

At the age of 30, Virat Kohli is already one of the all-time great batsmen, terrorising bowlers and shattering batting records in every format of the game, in every corner of the cricketing world. Every behemoth started somewhere, though, and for Kohli, his beginnings were in the rough-and-tumble of Delhi’s age-grade and domestic cricket circuits. Even as a 10-year old at his first cricket coaching camp, his special talent was recognised by coaches and experienced players alike. In this excerpt from their book Virat: The Making Of A Champion, journalists Neeraj Jha and Vidhanshu Kumar illustrate the young Kohli’s immense potential.

The Making Of Virat Kohli

It all began in the summer of 1998.

On 30 May, a particularly hot day, a Delhi-based lawyer, Prem Kohli, ferried his two children, Vikas and Virat — both staunch Sachin fans — to a cricket camp in west Delhi. A heat wave was sweeping across the entire subcontinent, the thermometer was touching the mid-40s, and prayers for rain were on everyone’s lips. Like the weather, the political temperature in India, and beyond too, was hitting an all-time high. Under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the nation had tested nuclear bombs in Pokhran in Rajasthan, and Pakistan had threatened to do the same (and it did so on the day Virat’s father first took him to the cricket camp).

This event sparked off a series of economic restrictions laid down against both nuclear-testing nations, India and Pakistan, by the USA and other countries, and put a strain on the Indian economy. In Delhi and other cities, the price of essential commodities skyrocketed. But this was also a time of hope. The Indian middle class was rising, determined to stay afloat above a million challenges, to fulfil their dreams of a liberalized, globalized, winning India. They worked hard to realize their ambitions and dreams – and who was a better symbol of this bright-eyed, hardworking India than a cricket genius called Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar! The Master Blaster was at the peak of his prowess in 1998, pummelling the likes of the impressive Australian bowler Damien Fleming and the other great Aussie leg-spinner Shane Warne into the stands of dust-blown Sharjah. It was as if Sachin Tendulkar was the answer to all of India’s problems and sorrows, and he was inspiring an entire generation to follow cricket like never before.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2019 من Man's World.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2019 من Man's World.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من MAN'S WORLD مشاهدة الكل
Rekha At 70 The Enduring Mystique
Man's World

Rekha At 70 The Enduring Mystique

More than a generation after she was last seen on screen, the mystique that she successfully wrapped herself in continues to serve her well in the public imagination. Her fleeting public appearances in dazzling silk sarees and makeup continue to beguile the camera in the same manner it did at the peak of her career

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
iPhone Fatigue
Man's World

iPhone Fatigue

Do we really need an annual Apple flagship release?

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
Men's Guide To Combat Premature Hair Loss
Man's World

Men's Guide To Combat Premature Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness hit men at an early age, at times in late 30s and early 40s. We asked the experts the reason behind it, treatments that can help, and factors to take care of

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
SMRITI MANDHANA MAKES CRICKET LOOK EASY
Man's World

SMRITI MANDHANA MAKES CRICKET LOOK EASY

In conversation with Man's World for Hyundai Drive Within campaign, the stylish Indian batter talks about her craft, evolution, and her thoughts on women's cricket

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Pritam Hitting The High Note
Man's World

Pritam Hitting The High Note

A National Award for Brahmastra: Part One Shiva this year and songs that continue to clock millions of streams, Pritam Chakraborty proves why he's one of the most acclaimed Hindi Film music directors of our time

time-read
10 mins  |
October 2024
JEMIMAH RODRIGUES IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE
Man's World

JEMIMAH RODRIGUES IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE

In conversation with Man's World as a part of Hyundai Drive Within campaign, Jemimah Rodrigues take us through the drive within her that inspires her to be the best in her business.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
SHAFALI VERMA IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
Man's World

SHAFALI VERMA IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

In conversation with Man's World India as a part of the Hyundai Drive Within campaign, Shafali Verma opens up about her historic double century, her fearless brand of cricket, and more

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Hands Onl Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch SPB455 100th Anniversary Edition
Man's World

Hands Onl Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch SPB455 100th Anniversary Edition

Seiko's 100th anniversary of the first watch to bear its name brought an exciting addition to its famed Prospex collection; a timepiece that pays homage to the brand's iconic history while embracing modern ideas of versatile wearability

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
WATCHES ON THE WILD SIDE ATYPICAL CASE DESIGNS
Man's World

WATCHES ON THE WILD SIDE ATYPICAL CASE DESIGNS

Horology isn't just about precision. It's also about understanding the rules of perception-and sometimes, taking a sledgehammer to them

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
Denim The Timeless Trendsetter
Man's World

Denim The Timeless Trendsetter

Crystal Henricksen, Head of Denim Design at GAP, shares with us what makes the fabric simple, versatile, and timeless

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024