Virat Kohli will always be Cheeku for us: Ishant Sharma on his bond with India star

India Today

17-05-2025

Veteran India pacer Ishant Sharma has offered a heartfelt insight into his long-standing friendship with Virat Kohli, saying that the star batter will always be "Cheeku" for him-the nickname known only to those who shared their starting cricketing years with him.Speaking on Star Sports' Press Room on Saturday, the 36-year-old Delhi fast bowler reflected on his journey alongside Kohli, a relationship that began in the under-17 days and continued all the way to the highest level of international cricket. Despite Kohli's towering stature in the game, Ishant said he still sees him as the same childhood friend he grew up with.advertisement"I think Virat Kohli (the star) is for outside people. I can't see him like that because we played in the U-17s. He is a childhood friend to me," said Ishant, who has 434 wickets in 105 Test matches for India.
Ishant fondly remembered their days in the under-19 setup - a time marked by modest means, shared rooms, and frugal living. It was a period that forged their bond in ways that fame could never touch."When we were in the U-19s, we used to count how much money we had. We used to eat food. When we used to go to the U-19s, we used to save our TAs and take them with us. So, Virat Kohli is different for everyone. He is different for me," he recalled.Despite Kohli's elevation to global superstardom, Ishant said the core of their relationship has remained unchanged - one rooted in brotherhood, trust, and shared history.advertisement"Imagine, your brother has reached such heights. Everyone is thinking that he is great. But you will see that at the end of the day, he is a human being. At the end of the day, you have spent a lot of time with him. You know him in and out. You know where he has come from, how he is and how he is not."Fans recently caught a glimpse of this deep bond when the two were seen warmly embracing on the field ahead of an IPL match, a moment that went viral on social media.What sets their friendship apart, Ishant said, is how little cricket features in their conversations. Instead, their catch-ups are filled with jokes, laughter, and nostalgia."When we meet, we never talk about how we played so many Test matches. We never talk about it. We talk about funny jokes. This is happening, that is happening, look at this, look at that. Funny jokes," he said."I have never felt that he is Virat Kohli. For us, he is Cheeku. We have always seen it like this. He has also seen me like this. We are sleeping together and sharing a room."Ishant also shared a memory from the time he was selected for the Indian team, recalling how Kohli was the one to wake him up and break the news.advertisement"When our India debut came, the name of the team came...he kicked me and said, your name has come. He said, will you really play for India? I said, brother, let me sleep," he said with a laugh.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!.
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