Virat Kohli names player who had ‘biggest impact’ on him in early IPL years

Virat Kohli revealed that former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher had an impact on him during his initial years in the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying that his conversations with the Proteas legend left him “stunned”.

Mark Boucher was a part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) squad for the first three seasons of the IPL. Kohli recalled his interactions with the Eastern Cape-born during that time.

“Out of all players I played with initially, Boucher had the biggest impact on me. He figured out what my weaknesses could be. If I wanted to go to the next level, this is what I need to do, without me asking him anything. He told me that ‘when I came to commentate in India three-four years from now and I do not see you playing for India, you would do a disservice to yourself. So he really stunned me with the conversations he had with me,” Kohli said while speaking on RCB Podcast’s upcoming episode, a trailer of which was released on the team’s official ‘X’ handle.

Kohli lived up to Boucher’s expectations and is now considered among the greatest batters to have played the sport. The former India captain won the Orange Cap last year in the IPL and is in the race this season as well. He has amassed 443 runs from 10 innings at an average of 63.29.

Kohli, who is playing his 18th IPL season in RCB colours, also explained why he chose to stay loyal to the franchise. He said that the love he has received from the fans is beyond any silverware.

“The love that I have received from the fans, I do not think any silverware or any trophy can come close to that,” he added.

Kohli also said that he retired from T20I cricket last year to give the young Indian cricketers enough time to prepare themselves for marquee events like the World Cup.

“I do not think things have changed for me in any way. The decision (to leave T20Is) was taken purely understanding that there is a new set of players who are more than ready and they need time, they need a two-year cycle to evolve, handle pressure, play in different parts of the world, and play enough games to the point where when the World Cup comes, they feel like they are ready,” he concluded.

Rajat Patidar-led RCB are having a splendid season, with seven wins from 10 games. They are placed at No. 2 on the points table, only behind the Mumbai Indians.

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