Virat Kohli has often worn his heart on his sleeve, and when it comes to friendships forged over years of cricketing battles, his bond with Ishant Sharma stands out as one of the most enduring. In a recent episode of the RCB podcast, Kohli opened up about his close relationship with the veteran Indian pacer, calling Ishant a “very special individual” in his life—someone with whom he shares a deep and unchanging connection.
Having played alongside each other since their early days in Delhi cricket, Kohli and Ishant’s friendship has withstood the test of time, formats, and fame.
“Ishant is someone that I very naturally connected with,” Virat Kohli revealed. “Nothing has changed since Day 1. Whether we’ve played together recently or not, when I see him, it’s exactly the same. I can share absolutely everything with him—without judgment, with complete understanding and empathy.”
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Their bond, rooted in years of shared experiences in both domestic and international cricket, is clearly more than just locker-room camaraderie. For Kohli, Ishant represents a rare constant in an otherwise dynamic and often high-pressure cricketing journey.
Virat Kohli talks about his equation with Ishant Sharma, the multiple ICC tournament setbacks, and the beauty of ODI cricket – a format he loves and rules, in Part 3 of @bigbasket_com presents RCB Podcast Bold and Beyond. 🎙️#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/sgaylux8Zq
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 6, 2025
Ishant, now 36, made his Test debut for India way back in 2007 against Bangladesh in Mirpur. With 105 Tests, 80 ODIs, and 14 T20Is under his belt, he remains one of India’s most experienced pacers. Although he hasn’t donned the India jersey since the Kanpur Test against New Zealand in November 2021, Ishant is still going strong in the IPL.
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In the ongoing 2025 edition, he’s representing Gujarat Titans and has picked up four wickets in seven outings so far. Fans will see Ishant in action next when Gujarat Titans take on Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 6. And while his international appearances may be on pause, for players like Kohli, Ishant’s presence in Indian cricket—on or off the field—continues to matter deeply.
