"I had scored 45 runs in 21 balls here and he bowed at me" - Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel open up on their first interactions with Virat Kohli
Team India batter Sarfaraz Khan and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel opened up on their experiences with former captain Virat Kohli. Both are a part of the Team India squad that will take on Bangladesh in the first Test, starting on September 19.
While Sarfaraz has been a teammate with Kohli at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Jurel was often seen in conversation with the star batter whenever his side Rajasthan Royals (RR) took on RCB in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both are known to be admirers of Virat and opened up on their learnings during a conversation with JioCinema.
Sarfaraz Khan shared his experiences with the batter in the three years he was a part of the Bengaluru-based franchise. He said:
"His (Virat Kohli's) passion and spirit are unmatched. Whenever I saw him, even in the pre-match meetings, he'd take charge and tell everyone how many runs he'd score off a particular bowler and break that down for everyone. To be gutsy enough to stand up and talk with such positivity in front of everyone and then deliver the next day is a very unique ability."
He also spoke about how his first meeting with the then-RCB captain went about. The 26-year-old added:
"I met him at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time. I had scored 45 runs in 21 balls here and he bowed at me. I had a lot of fun that day. It was a dream to share an Indian team dressing room with him it will come true in the future if I get the opportunity."
About Kohli's routine and the way he goes about his way, the Mumbai batter had the following to say:
"He is clear about his game. He knows the work a player needs to keep doing and that criticism or praise shouldn't affect your game. 'This is my work, I have to do this in the morning, this in the afternoon, this in the evening, and sleep at a specific time.' That's what I have learned from him."
You can watch the video here.
"You have to keep doing those things and then you'll be able to accomplish your dreams" - Dhruv Jurel on what Virat Kohli said to him
Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, also opened up and spoke about his interactions with the star batter in the aforementioned video.
The 23-year-old said:
"I asked him how he stayed so consistent and how I could improve my game. It's something I've always been curious about, I even asked Dhoni sir the same thing. They have become legends and there must be a secret behind it. I know now that doing what seems boring and easy repetitively has built these legends."
He added:
"Kohli told me that, if doing the boring things were so easy to do, everyone would be doing it. You have to keep doing those things and then you'll be able to accomplish your dreams."
When both of them were asked about what aspects of Kohli's batting technique amazed them the most, Jurel said:
"How he steps out and hits it over the covers, that's not an easy shot," while Sarfaraz picked two signature shots, "I love his flick shot and his cover drive."
Team India will take on Bangladesh in the first Test against Bangladesh starting September 19. The Test will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.