Virat Kohli reveals CSK legend who helped him earn India call up, and it's not MS Dhoni, says 'he saw me in the nets and asked...'

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) superstar batter Virat Kohli shared a heartwarming story about how Suresh Raina played a key role in shaping his career. Kohli revealed that Raina, a former Indian cricketer and CSK legend, advocated for him to be included in the playing XI despite the coach's initial reservations. This moment, according to Kohli, significantly impacted his cricketing journey. And since then Kohli has never looked back and currently dubbed as the best batter of the current era. He has consistently delivered impressive performances in both the IPL and international matches. His growth and dedication are evident in his transformation from a less-conditioned player to one of the fittest and most consistent athletes in the sport.

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Raina's impact on Kohli's career

The true story behind Virat Kohli's rise to cricketing stardom might surprise some. While Kohli is now a global icon and a batting maestro for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), his journey wasn't always smooth sailing. During the 2008 Emerging Cup in Australia, a young Kohli was struggling in the middle order. However, a chance encounter with then-captain Suresh Raina changed everything. Raina, impressed by Kohli's raw talent during net sessions, saw potential that others might have missed. Despite the coach's initial hesitance, Raina advocated for Kohli to be included in the playing XI. This pivotal moment, as Kohli himself revealed, proved to be a major turning point in his career.

Raina's intervention wasn't just about including Kohli in the team; it involved a strategic move. Raina, recognizing Kohli's talent, proposed him as the opening batsman, despite the coach's reservations. This bold suggestion paid off. In the next match, a young and hungry Kohli smashed a brilliant century against New Zealand.

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This performance didn't go unnoticed. Dilip Vengsarkar, a selector at the time, was impressed by Kohli's display of talent. Vengsarkar's recognition became a turning point, as he decided to give Kohli more opportunities. Fast forward over a decade, and Kohli stands as a cricketing giant – the leading batsman in all three formats of the game, a true legend.

How Raina spotted Virat Kohli's talent?

Kohli himself acknowledges Raina's pivotal role. He has expressed his gratitude to Raina, crediting him for "pushing his name" forward.  In a recent interview on Jio Cinema, Kohli elaborated on how Raina's suggestion to open the batting, followed by his century, ultimately led to Vengsarkar taking notice.

“I think it was 2008. It was an Indian match. We were playing in the Emerging Players tournament in Australia in 2008. The significance of the Emerging Players tournament at that time was that the best cricketers who were on the verge of playing for their country would come to play there, and it was a very important tournament for us. So I still remember that Raina might have heard about me. He came mid-tournament. Initially, S Badrinath was the captain, but when Raina arrived, he took over the captaincy. Pravin Amre was our coach, and he had kept me out of the playing eleven,” Kohli said.

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"So Raina saw me playing in the nets and asked Amre sir why I wasn't playing. I used to bat in the middle order, while Ajinkya Rahane opened. Amre sir said there wasn't a spot available in the team. Then Raina insisted that I should be played, so Pravin sir called me and asked if I would open," the former RCB captain added.

"I said I would do anything (bat anywhere), just give me a chance to play. So I opened against New Zealand. Dilip Vengsarkar sir was the selector at that time. I scored 120 not out, and he probably decided then and there that I should be given further opportunities," Kohli concluded.

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Kohli is gearing up for RCB's crunch game against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 18 which will decide their playoff fate. Kohli is on fire in IPL 2024 as he currently reigns supreme as the tournament's leading run-scorer with a whopping 661 runs under his belt. This stellar performance not only bolsters his team's playoff chances but also fuels India's aspirations for T20 World Cup glory.

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