Virat Kohli once doubted his Test cricket abilities: Harbhajan Singh
What's the story
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has shared insights into Virat Kohli's early career struggles, revealing a time when the now-legendary batter doubted his own abilities. During a conversation on Taruwar Kohli's podcast, Harbhajan reminisced about an incident from Kohli's debut Test series against West Indies. He disclosed that after facing difficulties against Fidel Edwards, Kohli questioned if he was good enough for Test cricket.
Encouragement
Harbhajan's advice to a doubtful Kohli
In response to Kohli's self-doubt, Harbhajan encouraged him by stating that he would let himself down if he did not score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. "I told him 'You will shame yourself if you don't score 10,000 runs. You have the capability of scoring 10,000 runs in Test cricket. And if you don't, it'll be because of your own fault,'" Harbhajan revealed during the podcast conversation.
Praise
Harbhajan praises Kohli's transformation and determination
Harbhajan also praised Kohli's transformation over the years, highlighting changes in his diet and mindset. He admired Kohli's determination to be more than just an ordinary player, stating "The stubbornness I saw in myself, Kohli has a lot more of it." Singh further lauded Kohli's impact on Indian cricket, attributing it to his never-give-up attitude and desire to win games for India.
Progress
Kohli's Test stats and future prospects
As of now, Kohli has scored 8,848 runs in 113 Test matches. His journey from a young batsman to a cricketing legend continues to inspire many. With a long cricketing season ahead, expectations are high for him to surpass the milestone of 10,000 Test runs. This achievement would further cement his legacy as one of India's all-time greats in the sport.