[Pictures] “You were the first step of Virat’s journey” – Virat Kohli’s sister Bhawna reacts to his childhood coach's heartwarming photos on Instagram

Virat Kohli’s sister Bhawna Kohli Dhingra has appreciated his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, who shared multiple snapshots of himself meeting and hugging the cricketer on social media. Bhawna credited Rajkumar for spotting his talent and grooming him into the champion player he is today. She added that the first step is as important as the last step.

Kohli overcame his lean patch to play a valuable 76-run knock in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. It helped India post a 177-run target for South Africa. The Men in Blue won the game by seven runs to lift the ICC trophy after an 11-year gap.

Rajkumar expressed his gratitude to Kohli for making him proud. Sharing a few pictures with him on Instagram, he wrote:

“From your first practice to your incredible success, you’ve always made me proud @virat.kohli . Keep going strong beta.”

Reacting to the post, Bhawna commented:

“Sir this picture marks the genuine appreciation, which should have been a part of this World Cup celebration because step one is as important as the last and you were the first step of Virat’s journey.

“You were the one who saw in him at a time when no one saw it you groomed him guided him and you continue to do so for so many other lucky kids,” she added.

Virat Kohli and Rajkumar Sharma embracing each other. [Pic credits: @rajkumarcricket/Instagram]

Bhawna and Virat Kohli’s brother Vikas visited Kohli at the team hotel ITC Maurya once they landed in New Delhi from Barbados on Thursday, July 5. The duo often shares congratulatory posts for Kohli on Instagram.

Bhawna and Vikas' kids (Kohli's nephews and nieces) also accompanied them to meet their uncle.

Kohli then left with the team to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the PM’s residence before leaving for the evening celebrations in Mumbai. Following the BCCI's felicitation ceremony, Kohli left for London to spend quality time with his wife Anushka Sharma, and his two kids Vamika and Akaay.

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Virat Kohli completes all ICC trophies in white-ball cricket

Virat Kohli has won all four white-ball ICC trophies after the 2024 T20 World Cup win. The 35-year-old won his first-ever ICC title by winning the 2008 U19 World Cup. Kohli also won the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.

Kohli will now be keen to win the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) trophy. The Indian team failed to win the WTC 2021 and WTC 2023 finals in the first two cycles, losing to New Zealand and Australia, respectively.

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