TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: Amidst the thousands who were in the Dubai International Stadium stands was a proud coach who saw his ward scale Mt 14,000 in ODIs and also score his 51st ODI hundred. Coach Rajkumar Sharma was beaming with pride when Virat Kohli‘s helmet came off and the assuring gesture followed.
Many wondered who Kohli was pointing to as it wasn’t in the direction of the dressing room and Rajkumar would later reveal it was for him. Moments after the ton, India win and the celebrations that followed, TimesofIndia.com caught up with the coach, who is currently Director of Cricket in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), and spoke to him on Kohli‘s return to form, the calmness, never-ending criticism, and more.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Excerpts:
How special was it to see that celebration and when Kohli gestured towards you?
Virat Kohli himself gave me tickets for the stand. I am staying in his hotel only. So he was aware that I am sitting there and you feel proud… as a coach nothing gives more satisfaction and pride.
You feel the criticism is a bit unfair? Or is it because of the expectations from him?
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. I don’t think anyone would have won so many matches for India. 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 right.
And then there are some who say that he is done…
These are 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.
You have seen all phases of his life. You reckon he has mellowed down now after marriage and now that he is a father of two kids?
That happens with age, one matures. He was aggressive earlier and still is when he is playing. Aggression is his strength. 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. Virat Kohli has become religious, mellowed down after marriage and kids.
Was there a sense of relief after that boundary was scored to bring up the hundred?
No, 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. 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.
A coach always knows right? Did you have a feeling that it’s going to be a big one vs Pakistan?
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 will do well.