Even as he enters the twilight of his glorious career, Virat Kohli is still an iconic figure who continues to influence and inspire players globally. Now going on 35, it’s not just what Kohli has done but how he was made to do it—unequivocally explained in an example taken from the state of Karnataka, through the life of Vyshak Vijaykumar, a promising talent in the RCB unit.
Making his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in 2023, Vyshak shared how training alongside Kohli has been a game-changer for him. The 27-year-old picked up nine wickets during his debut IPL season, now within seven matches, making full effort to learn and grow in the next. The opportunity to observe and train with Kohli gives Vyshak invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed on the biggest platforms.
“Training with Virat Kohli can really impact you as a player. I watched him closely last season, particularly the finer details, like work ethic, his process, and consistency. Be it his eating habits or practice routine, everything is done to the minute. The confidence he carries before every game is something really inspiring, and now I try to have the same confidence every time I step onto the field,” says Vijaykumar Vyshak in an interview with India Today.
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This revelation by Vyshak is a pointer to how massively Kohli influences his colleagues, especially the younger lot who aspire to follow his direction in success. Training with Kohli has therefore added value to Vyshak’s game and endowed him with a sense of discipline and great determination which cricketing success is tied to.
He played four matches in the 2024 IPL season, picking up four wickets. However, this did come with its own share of challenges. After a good performance in his debut game for the RCB, he had a bad outing where he conceded 60 runs in the match. It was then that another senior player — Mohammed Siraj — stepped in to offer him some sage advice.
“In my first game for RCB, I did well, but then in the next match I conceded 60 runs. So Siraj told me what the game is and what the challenge is at this level. I will be eager to keep that in mind and pass on this whenever I can,” Vijaykumar Vyshak shared.
Indeed, it is this very advice from Siraj, coupled with training alongside Kohli, that has really shaped the way Vyshak approached this part of the game. He has taken these lessons into the domestic cricketing circuit too, where he has been in great form. Of late, Vyshak has made 343 runs from 13 innings at an average of 31.18, and a strike rate of 72.82 inclusive of one century and one fifty. He also finished as his side’s highest wicket-taker, picking up 39 wickets from 16 innings.
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The sample case of Vyshak is a classical example of the influence that seniors like Kohli and Siraj have on emerging talents. Their guidance and mentorship will help these young cricketers understand the game better and climb the professional ladder. But the lessons learnt from Kohli and Siraj will help him immensely as he grows up in his career.
