I didn’t think he would reach this level – Virender Sehwag on Virat Kohli

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag admitted he didn’t think Virat Kohli will go on to become the player he did after bursting on the scene back in 2008. Kohli kept taking giant strides in his career and he is currently one of the best batters in the world in all three formats of the game.

The talisman went through a lull period in the last few seasons but he has been batting at his previous best in the last six months. Kohli scored a piece de resistance knock of 186 runs in the fourth Test match against Australia at Ahmedabad and thus broke the drought of 1205 days of not scoring a Test hundred.

This was Kohli’s 28th Test century and overall his 75th International hundred as he continues to reach new echelons in the pantheon of cricket greats. Sehwag observed Kohli from close quarters in the nascent stages of the latter’s career but never thought that his Delhi teammate will go on to achieve such great heights.

Sehwag recalled Kohli’s special innings against Sri Lanka when he scored 133 runs off just 86 balls at Hobart in the Commonwealth Bank series back in 2012.

“We all knew that Virat Kohli was very talented, But I didn’t think he would reach this level,” Sehwag said on the Ranveer Show. “But the way he batted against Lasith Malinga in Australia to win us that game, we knew he would be successful. I didn’t think he would have so many centuries to his name or score so many runs. He proved me wrong, and it’s unbelievable what he has achieved.”

On the other hand, Kohli is well known for his dedication and fitness. Sehwag revealed Kohli realized very early in his career that he would need to be disciplined in order to savor success.

“Virat realized very early in his career that he would have to be disciplined if he wanted to play cricket for a long period of time,” Sehwag added.

“Very few players have realized this so early. Around the same time, many players came and went. Then Rohit Sharma came into the Test and white-ball teams and there was a competition between the two. Sometimes such a competition helps you improve your game.”

Kohli will be seen in action in the three-match ODI series against Australia.