Ian Bishop Shares Story Of How Young Virat Kohli Evolved Himself And Inspired New Generation
Virat Kohli is a role model for generations to follow (AP Photos)
Virat Kohli is an inspiration for generations and has been at the top of the cricket world for over a decade now. He was seen as a brash young boy with an attitude of his own but unlike many, found a way to channelised his aggression and evolved himself beautifully to reach the pinnacle of the game.
Virat Kohli's temperament and discipline have played a huge role in his success over the years but there are some inside stories that very few people know. These insights help us dive into the character of Virat Kohli and help us understand what makes a person successful and an inspiration for people across the globe.
Now, Ian Bishop, the former West Indies cricketer and a renowned commentator has shared his insights and some stories of Virat Kohli in a special conclave organised by OneCricket - 'Beyond the Stumps.' Let's see what the Windies legend has to say.
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Ian Bishop started with his first impression of Virat Kohli. He recalled how Fidel Edwards got Virat Kohli out with a perfect outswinger in the first innings at the Sabina Park in 2011 and then got him out in the second innings as well.
Bishop mentioned that he did not thought at that time that Virat Kohli will evolve as one of the best in the game but soon found a transformation in Virat Kohli, a Test batter later in the same year. Bishop adds that it was a Wankhede Test against the Windies and match was evenly poised when Virat played a brilliant knock under pressure and that's where Bishop felt that the young Virat has something special.
This is what Ian Bishop said,
"India came to Caribbean in 2011 and at Sabina Park, it was Virat's first Test match and Fidel Edwards got the wicket of Virat with a perfect outswinger. I remember saying to Fidel privately that it is the perfect type of delivery that I will like to see him bowling more and more in his career and then he got Virat again in the second innings. Then the next time I saw him was against the West Indies later in the year, in a Test match particularly at the Wankhede where the scores were level at the end. Virat got two half-centuries in the game and that's where I thought this young man is something special,"
Bishop went onto add that he could not foretell that Virat would go onto become such a great player even after that knock and adds that it not right to judge a player or any person by first impression.
"I must admit that I could not foretell what he would go onto become but what is true is the old saying - it is now about how you start, but how you finish,"
This insight by Bishop shows how young Virat Kohli was always ready to improve as a cricketer and that is indeed an hallmark of a great cricketer. Over the years, Virat Kohli has done it consistently and we can recall how he failed miserably in the 2014 tour of England but smashed everyone apart in the same country on the 2018 tour.
Bishop in the same interview, also credited Virat Kohli for inspiring and supporting young generations as he has grown as a cricketer. He credits Virat Kohli for Mohammed Siraj's success and recalled how Virat Kohli told him that the confidence Siraj gained in red-ball cricket, has helped him become a better white-ball cricketer too.
"I always been impressed with his frankness, honestly and his willingness to give his everything whether it in a toss interview, post-match interview and to give something to generations that are coming after him. For example, one year after an IPL game, he talked about Siraj and how red-ball cricket prepared Siraj to become a better white-ball player. He talked openly on his fitness and what that means to his game."
This is what makes Virat Kohli great, firstly how he evolved himself to become the best version of himself and secondly, the impact he is making on younger generation of cricketers with his knowledge and work ethics.
 "Aashay Chopade")
