Former India spinner Piyush Chawla recently opened up about his long-lasting friendship with Virat Kohli and also reacted to some recent comments made by former spinner Amit Mishra about Kohli’s transformation over the years. Mishra was once close to Kohli, having been part of the same Delhi Ranji Trophy team, but he now finds himself distant because of how fame and success seem to have changed everything.
Amit Mishra took one back to the days when Kohli was a young, carefree cricketer who gobbled samosas and pizzas as if there were no tomorrow. “Our camaraderie has completely fizzled out,” he said.
“Suddenly, this huge stature has come into his life. He turned 35 and it has all been a bit distant,” he added. Amit Mishra said, “I have seen Virat change a lot. We had almost stopped talking. People think, ‘What if others are reaching out for some purpose?’ when they get fame and power. I was never one of those. I have known Cheeku since he was 14, when he used to eat samosas and needed pizza every night,” Mishra shared on Shubhankar Mishra’s show.
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While Chawla, however, expressed a different perspective about Kohli’s character. He also came to his friend’s defence by saying that Kohli is the same simple guy he has always been. Kohli’s success hasn’t changed his real nature, he said.
“Virat Kohli is still the same person he was 10-15 years ago. My experience with him has always been positive, and our camaraderie remains strong,” Piyush Chawla told the 2Sloggers Podcast.
Chawla recalled a light-hearted moment with Kohli during the Asia Cup 2023, which proved the former captain still has that warmth. While fielding at the boundary, Kohli walked up to him to chat about ordering food—a moment which reminded Chawla of times gone by.
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“During the Asia Cup, while I was doing commentary and standing on the boundary, Virat came and said, ‘PC, let’s order something good.’ We both share a love for food and even now, the discussions are exactly like those we used to have 10-15 years back. My experience with him remains very positive,” Piyush Chawla signed off.
