Kohli Reflects on Pivotal Moment Against Pakistan in 2009 Champions Trophy

Virat Kohli has disclosed that a defining juncture in his nascent career occurred during India’s crucial match against Pakistan in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.

During a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) podcast released on Tuesday, Kohli discussed the intense strain he experienced as a late replacement for an injured Yuvraj Singh.

Kohli, then a youthful and relatively unseasoned player, only scored 16 runs before being caught out while attempting to hit Shahid Afridi for a six. Ultimately, India was defeated in the match by 54 runs, leaving Kohli disheartened.

“That was my initial experience in an India-Pakistan game. My score was approximately 16. In an attempt to hit Shahid Afridi for a straight six, I was caught at long-on. Our team lost that game. That was a significant moment, and my heart was racing throughout the innings. I struggled to process everything that transpired within those four days,” Kohli recounted.

He confessed that the underwhelming performance instilled in him considerable doubt, leading him to believe that he had squandered his sole opportunity to solidify his place within the Indian squad.

“The loss was substantial, and sleep eluded me. I remained awake until five in the morning, gazing at the ceiling. My thoughts were, ‘This is the end. I’ve been recalled after a year, and I’ve completely failed. I’m uncertain about how this will unfold.’ I encountered numerous moments of profound self-doubt. I needed to reassess and gradually rebuild my confidence,” he revealed.

Despite the setback, Kohli acknowledged that the ordeal served as a transformative experience. It amplified his ambition to cultivate resilience and evolve into one of India’s most dependable players, particularly in high-pressure contests against Pakistan.

The former captain of the Indian national team also reminisced about another significant individual from his early days in cricket—Mark Boucher, the former South African wicketkeeper—who offered essential mentoring during the 2008 IPL season with RCB.

“Of all the players I initially played alongside, Mark Boucher exerted the most considerable influence on me as a young player. He distinguished himself by adopting the mindset of actively assisting young Indian players,” Kohli stated.

According to Kohli, Boucher didn’t wait to be prompted for guidance. He carefully observed Kohli’s batting technique, identified areas for improvement, and promptly intervened to provide support.

Boucher’s Mentorship

“He observed my play and recognized some potential. He identified possible weaknesses, suggesting that to advance to the next level, I needed to focus on specific aspects, without my solicitation,” he mentioned.

He noted, ‘Okay, I’ve watched you play, and we need to address these issues.’ Consequently, he invited me to the nets, remarking, ‘You must improve your short ball skills. You won’t be afforded opportunities in international cricket if you can’t effectively pull the ball,’ he added.

The former South African wicketkeeper even employed tennis balls during practice sessions to replicate short-pitched deliveries, thus challenging Kohli beyond his comfort zone.