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'Only 5 Games' - Virat Kohli Recalls How Him & Rohit Sharma Struggled For Opportunities

Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma playing in ODI WC (X.com)Virat Kohli with Rohit Sharma playing in ODI WC (X.com)

At a recent brand promotional event, Indian ex-captain Virat Kohli revealed how, during their early days, he and the likes of Rohit Sharma had fewer opportunities to prove themselves, unlike the present generation, where players rely on the pressure created by fandoms. 

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most esteemed Indian cricketers to ever grace the sport, had to make their way up from the absolute bottom during their struggling days.

Having no connections and recommendation to back their candidature, Kohli and Rohit purely bursted into the scene on the basis of merit. However, even to prove the merit, the duo apparently were given far less opportunities.

Kohli takes a dig at youngsters?

Virat Kohli, in a recent promotional event, stated that around the time when he made his debut in 2008, the criteria for selection were far more competitive and fierce than the present scene. 

He and Rohit Sharma were allowed a maximum of five games to prove themselves. Kohli revealed that during those days, selection was purely based on skills demonstrated in those limited opportunities.

However, the Indian batter feels modern-day generations often take those opportunities for granted because they have their fan clubs rooting for them and creating media pressure to back their selection.  

But at the same time, Virat Kohli feels every era in Indian cricket undergoes a transition, and that’s perfectly fine.

However, the kind of incessant opportunities coming the youngsters way in this day and age often baffles Kohli as he revealed having conversations about the same with Rohit Sharma on multiple occasions.