Virat Kohli names unexpected mentor from early IPL years, it’s not MS Dhoni, he is…
New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance in IPL 2025, with 443 runs in 10 matches, positions him as a leading contender for the Orange Cap. However, his early IPL success was significantly influenced by a key mentor, whose impact remains notable.
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli recalled how profoundly Mark Boucher influenced him early in his IPL career. Kohli described being greatly impressed by his discussions with the South African cricketer.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) discussed a recent incident extensively in a forthcoming podcast episode; a preview was shared on their official X account.
“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 comes 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.”
Mark Boucher played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) from 2008 to 2010, coinciding with Virat Kohli’s early international career before his Test debut. In 27 appearances for RCB, Boucher scored 388 runs at an average of 29.85, with one fifty.
“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.
Following his T20I retirement, the accomplished batter reported no significant changes to his approach. He explained that the decision was made after recognizing the emergence of a capable new generation of players.
“I do not think things have changed for me in any way. The decision (to leave T201s) was taken purely understanding that there is a new set of players who are more than ready and they need time, they need a 2-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,” Kohli signed off.
Virat Kohli is performing exceptionally well in the ongoing IPL, currently ranking third among the leading run-scorers. He has accumulated 443 runs across ten innings, averaging 63.28 and maintaining a strike rate of approximately 139. His consistent contributions include six scores of fifty or more, with a top individual score of 73 not out.
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