Former Indian pacer Ishant Sharma recently opened up about his cricketing journey alongside Virat Kohli, offering rare insights into what made the batting maestro stand out from the very beginning. Speaking on the Raj Shamani podcast, Ishant recalled how Kohli’s laser-sharp focus and relentless determination separated him from everyone else on the field.
Ishant explained that during his early days, he often felt that every senior player carried a certain aura of legend. But over time, it became clear to him that only one cricketer truly lived up to that aura consistently — Virat Kohli.
“When I first started, I thought everyone was a legend. But as I played more, I realized that with Virat, it was different. He had something special,” Ishant Sharm revealed.
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Sharing a powerful anecdote, Ishant highlighted Kohli’s remarkable mindset during a Ranji Trophy match. Despite losing his father, Prem Kohli, during the game, Kohli chose to return to the field and bat with unwavering focus.
For Ishant, that single moment defined Kohli’s career-long approach: no matter what happened off the pitch, his commitment to scoring runs never faltered. “Even if he came back late at night, the next morning he would still go out and score runs,” Ishant Sharma added.
The fast bowler also emphasised Kohli’s transformation through fitness, which he believes was a turning point in the batter’s career after 2011. Ishant praised how Kohli’s dedication to physical conditioning not only extended his career but also sharpened his reflexes and fielding. “He knew fitness would allow him to play longer and dominate consistently. That mindset changed everything,” Ishant explained.
Beyond the physical, Ishant admired Kohli’s unmatched mental toughness. He never allowed external factors — be it media pressure, team failures, or personal struggles — to derail his focus. Every time he walked to the crease, he carried clarity, intent, and self-belief.
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Now, as Kohli has stepped away from T20Is and Tests, with ODIs remaining his only international format, fans are eager to see if he can script one final glorious chapter. For Ishant Sharma, though, Kohli’s legacy is already defined — a cricketer who embodied discipline, resilience, and the will to succeed against all odds.
