Virat Kohli is often spoken about in terms of sheer talent, staggering numbers and his reputation as one of cricket\u2019s defining modern batters. There\u2019s also a perception\u2014fed by his on-field intensity\u2014that he plays with arrogance. However, Kohli\u2019s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, strongly disagrees with that assessment, insisting that labeling him as arrogant is simply misguided.<\/p>\n
For Kohli, any story about how he became a cricketing force inevitably runs through his early training at Sharma\u2019s academy in New Delhi. Sharma was the person who first spotted Kohli\u2019s promise, then worked closely with him on his batting craft. Beyond technique, the coach says he also shaped key parts of Kohli\u2019s mindset\u2014discipline, a strong work ethic and the mental toughness that would eventually become hallmarks of his career.<\/p>\n
Speaking about Kohli\u2019s temperament, Sharma described him as a genuinely modest person. He said that people who don\u2019t know Kohli well may misread his competitive edge as arrogance, but those around him see a different side\u2014someone humble, considerate and respectful. Sharma also noted that Kohli has maintained that attitude even as his profile has grown over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cVirat is a very modest guy. People used to mistake him as a very arrogant guy,\u201d Sharma said. \u201cBut whoever knows him, whoever is close to him, knows that he is very humble and very respectful. For me, he is still like my child. He was not even nine when he came to me, and since then he has been with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharma believes the relationship between coach and player has matured into something deeper than professional guidance\u2014a bond grounded in trust and mutual regard. Even after Kohli turned into a global superstar, he continues to recognize the coach\u2019s role in his journey. In Sharma\u2019s view, their story underlines why grassroots coaching matters so much in Indian cricket.<\/p>\n
Sharma also shared that the late former India batter Anshuman Gaekwad, who died in 2024, spoke highly about the connection he saw between himself and Kohli. Sharma said Gaekwad pointed out that such a relationship is rare once a player reaches the very top of the game. He recalled that Gaekwad emphasized how Kohli seems to stay attentive\u2014following the ball, keeping track of what\u2019s happening, and reaching out after matches\u2014something Gaekwad had not seen replicated at the highest level elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe respect he shows is creditable,\u201d Sharma said. \u201cI remember that when Anshuman Gaekwad would say that he has seen so much in Indian cricket, but the relationship between Virat and me is not replicated. You don\u2019t miss any ball he has faced, wherever he is in the world. He calls you after the match. The bond, he has never seen it anywhere for a player who has reached the highest level of world cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharma added that Kohli\u2019s nature has remained consistently warm and respectful. He said he feels proud to have trained Kohli and believes the affection in their relationship has endured even today.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel he has such a good nature and is so respectful. I feel that even today he is affectionate, and I feel proud that he is my trainee,\u201d Sharma said.<\/p>\n
According to Sharma, his confidence in Kohli was evident from early on, including during difficult personal phases. As Kohli\u2019s path moved from age-group cricket to the India setup\u2014and later into captaincy\u2014Sharma remained a steady mentor and trusted presence throughout the evolution of his career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Virat Kohli is often spoken about in terms of sheer talent, staggering numbers and his reputation as one of cricket\u2019s defining modern batters. There\u2019s also…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":13404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL News: Kohli\u2019s Humility Defended by Childhood Coach","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Kohli\u2019s childhood coach hits back at \u201carrogant\u201d claims, praising the India star\u2019s humility and discipline\u2014what he says about Kohli\u2019s mindset.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n