'He Has Been My Inspiration…': Young RCB Star on Virat Kohli

image-lmyl6s5sShreyanka Patil (L) with Virat Kohli (R). (X.com)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder Shreyanka Patil shared her deep-seated admiration for talismanic cricketer Virat Kohli, whose influence has been a guiding force since her initial days of playing cricket.

From the very beginning of her cricketing journey, Shreyanka Patil found herself under Kohli's inspirational spell. During an interview with the Times of India, Shreyanka, who gained recognition earlier this year while representing RCB in the Women's Premier League (WPL), expressed her sentiments, saying:

"Virat Kohli has been my inspiration from day one since I started playing cricket. He's the main reason why I picked up the sport. It's more than just the game; it's the magnetic aura that envelops Kohli, his unparalleled charisma that transcends both on and off the field."

Shreyanka's admiration for Kohli runs deep. She elaborates:

"It's just the vibe that he creates wherever he is. So that is something very special; it's just not the cricket bits. I kind of see everything and then, the aggression on the field is something which I really admire." 

Yet, Kohli's influence doesn't remain confined to the cricket pitch for Shreyanka.

 "So Virat Kohli has inspired me in many ways, be it in cricket and off the field. His impact extends far beyond cricketing skills, encompassing values, work ethic, and discipline that define a well-rounded athlete," she added.

Shreyanka rose to prominence when she showcased her skills for RCB in the WPL, both with the bat and ball. In the seven matches she played, the versatile all-rounder claimed six wickets and scored 62 runs. While RCB's performance in the tournament might not have met expectations, Shreyanka's standout performances earned her a spot on the India 'A' U-23 team. Despite making waves with her displays for India 'A', she was left out for the 2023 Asian Games.

With immense potential, Shreyanka secured a historic contract to participate in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), becoming the first women's cricketer to do so.