Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli set the tone for young learners at the inauguration of a West Delhi Cricket Academy branch at DPS (Delhi Public School) RK Puram on Tuesday, delivering an encouraging message that blended his own life lessons with a clear call for discipline. Addressing students at the ceremony, the 37-year-old said he is not used to speaking to school crowds, yet he felt a strong connection because he, too, once stood at the same crossroads of childhood and ambition. Kohli reflected on how his priorities shifted early after choosing cricket as his career, and he urged the next generation to treat their learning space with respect while pursuing their goals with honesty and full commitment.
“Thank you for having me. I’m not used to speaking in schools, so this is going to be a bit awkward for me because I moved away from the school setup long ago for cricket, and that’s what I’m going to talk about. I understand the environment of a school. I’ve been through the same process and stage that all you kids are a part of right now. And I can just share from my own experience how my focus and priority changed very early on in my life,” Kohli said.
He then underlined why schools matter beyond academics, describing them as places where students learn, develop and grow into better human beings. Kohli also emphasised the influence of educators, pointing out that teachers and mentors dedicate a large portion of their lives to guiding children. He urged students to show proper respect to the surroundings and the people shaping their growth, noting that the attention teachers provide deserves the same level of focus and regard in return. “Have respect and regard for that environment first. For your teachers, for the people who are teaching you. They are giving you a part of their lives. It’s very important to give them that respect and the focus and attention that’s required,” Kohli added.
Moving from general advice to personal decision-making, Kohli spoke about the early certainty that pushed him toward cricket and the importance of being clear about one’s direction. “I chose sport very early on in my life, but that came from a very honest place. I was very sure that I wanted to go ahead and pursue cricket, and I had to be honest with myself, my family, and also my teachers to convey to them that this is the path I want to take,” the former India captain said.
Kohli further advised students to remain self-aware and genuinely committed to their ambitions, suggesting that only the individual truly knows whether their dedication matches their stated dreams. “Be honest with your dreams, about what you want to do and follow that dream with absolute commitment. Only you will know whether you are being 100% honest or not,” he said.
In closing, Kohli looked back on his long relationship with the academy, recalling that it has remained a meaningful part of his own childhood and routine. He said he began practising when he was eight and continues to visit whenever time allows. “I started practising when I was eight years old, and I still continue to come to the academy whenever I get time. And it’s a big part of my childhood, and I hope all the kids that come to learn cricket here can value it, can learn something from the academy. And I hope it does wonders for the school, the cricket setup here as well. So, I wish everyone all the very best,” Kohli concluded.
In a separate IPL development, Kohli also made another headline in the league on Monday by becoming the first batter to reach 9,000 runs in the Indian Premier League. The right-handed batter achieved the milestone during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s away fixture against Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium, the same ground where his journey as a cricketer began.
Bengaluru chose to field first, and the early breakthrough came through Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose spells kept Delhi under pressure. Hazlewood finished with figures of 4/12 while Bhuvneshwar returned 3/5, restricting Delhi Capitals to 75 runs in 16.3 overs. Abishek Porel scored 30 to offer resistance, with David Miller contributing 19 as Delhi struggled to build partnerships. Bengaluru’s chase was completed with ease, powered by Jacob Bethell’s 20 off 10 balls featuring a four and two sixes, Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 34 off 13 balls with three fours and three sixes, and Kohli’s own finishing knock of 25 not out from 13 deliveries, again including a four and two sixes. The target was reached in 6.3 overs.
With the victory, RCB recorded their sixth win in eight matches and moved to 12 points, placing them second in the standings. The loss marked the fifth defeat for Delhi Capitals, who have now won three matches, leaving them seventh on the points table.
