XtraTime Web Desk – Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are two of the biggest names in the modern day Cricket. Both are considered to be one of the very best that the cricketing world ever saw. A day before they face other in the much awaited Border-Gavaskar trophy, the two sat and had a friendly chat between them.
In this friendly chat, Virat revealed when he to first thought of becoming a professional cricketer. “I anyways knew that I wanted to play the game but at the highest level. The time I really thought I’m going to make this a career is when my father passesd away. Then I realised, I have to get serious about and actually make it a proper proper commitment. My focus cannot shift and I just became singal minded and the focus was just to play for India”.
Steve Smith and Virat actually shared a very beautiful moment last year when Indian fans were booing Smith because of the sand paper scandal. Captain Kohli stepped up and asked all the fans to stop booing him. Justifying his reason, Kohli said, “There was an incident that happened and you guys (Steve Smith and David Warner) have realised that obviously what happened and you came back after a long time, having gone through whatever you had to. I feel like, in life nothing can be that permanent. I felt like it’s not fair to target each other personally. Cause as much as you play against each other, there’s a human side of the things as well”.
Speaking about his comeback after a year off, Smith said, “I just loved the noise. Regardless of what people were saying or doing. Even if it negative towards me, it was just noise and I like the noise and people are watching you. Obviously, there was a lot of negative stuff towards me when I first came back. I had to prove people wrong, stay positive and try to do what I love”.
On a light note, Steve Smith also said that he would love to score most runs for his team in the upcoming series against Australia while Virat backed Ajinkya Rahane from the Indian squad. “Most runs? I don’t know. I’m very excited to see how Rahane goes. I think he’s someone who will enjoy the responsibility of captaining when I’m away. He has played well here in the past. I think it’s his time to step up and I think he’ll”. Virat then said how excited he is to see Hanuma Vihari play, “One guy I’m really looking forward to see bat here is Hanuma Vihari. I think he’s quite a solid player and quite exciting”.
Smith then supported Virat on coming back home for paternal responsibility. “Unfortunately you are here for just one test but credit to you for making the decision of going home and be with your wife, the birth of your first child. I think it’s a milestone”. Virat then revealed that it was a no brainer to him of flying back home. “It was a decision that was absolute clear in my mind. This is a very very special moment in life, something you gonna be there at any cost. It’s a blessed time and we are very excited for it”.
Speaking about batting technique, Virat said, “I never had anyone who pointed at my techniques. It was self realisation and what I felt would work for me”. On the similar topic, Smudge said, “I think the part of playing in different conditions, you’ve to adapt and play. You can’t play the same everywhere. You probably do the same, you’ve to adapt to what’s there for you”.
The conversion ended as both the legends shook hands. The conversion of these two players will definitely be a talking point for all cricket lovers in the upcoming days.