Throwback To When Kohli Returned To Play Ranji Trophy Despite Father's Sad Demise
Kohli made a match-saving 90 for Delhi (Twitter)
Virat Kohli is renowned for his great dominance and global superstardom in the eyes of the cricketing fraternity but very few also recognise the modern-day legend for his strong temperament and zeal as a cricketer who handles such humongous expectations with ease.
Mental fortitude has always been integral to Kohli's game and this gritty and resilient nature was present as early as his infant stage as a player for Delhi when he was still fine-tuning his game and climbing up the ladder at the domestic level.
But Kohli's toughest moment of bravery and courage came 17 years back on December 18 when he returned to bat in a Ranji Trophy match for his team even as his father sadly parted ways with the world.
Exhibiting tremendous grit in the face of travesty, Kohli bit the toughest bullet of life thrown his way and decided to return from his father Prem Kohli's funeral to play an important innings for Delhi.
When Kohli Returned To Play From Father's Funeral
Kohli learnt of his father's demise overnight and immediately rushed to his residence in West Delhi from the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi Gate where Delhi were playing host to Karnataka. The youngster, who was only aged 18 at the time, was left shattered by the shocking news and was part of his father's funeral in the morning
Suddenly, a voice from inside came calling him and he decided to return to the ground for Delhi's turn to bat after Karnataka had compiled 446 in the first-innings, realising it was what his father would've wanted the son to do.
Kohli produced possibly the most emotional knock of his career that morning as he helped Delhi overcome a precarious spot with his majestic 90 off 238 balls and ultimately played a part in the hosts drawing the important Ranji Trophy league game.
Veteran India pacer Ishant Sharma, who is one of Kohli's best friends and was part of the first-class game concerned, revealed how he saw Kohli being quiet and feeling devastated from inside.
"I have never seen him cry, but I know that he was saddest when his father expired. We were playing a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. He was batting overnight, and he used always pick me for the match. We used to go from Patel Nagar to Ferozshah Kotla. He was very serious (that day), and there was a video analyst with him," said Ishant on Ranveer Allahbadia's YouTube show.
"We were playing a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka. He was batting overnight, and he used always pick me for the match. We used to go from Patel Nagar to Ferozshah Kotla. He was very serious (that day), and there was a video analyst with him."
"I asked him why he was so serious, but he did not reply. I gave him a tapli (a gentle knock) on the head. Then the other person told me that his father has expired. I did not know how to react. We were 17. He still batted and scored 90 runs as well. If something like that had happened to me, I don't think I could even have gone to the ground," he added.
 "Kashish Chadha")