Latest news with #U-19s
News18
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
'For Us, He Is Cheeku...': Virat Kohli's Delhi Teammate Leaves Heartfelt Message
Last Updated: Ishant Sharma reminisces about his childhood friendship with Virat Kohli, revealing that despite the latter's superstar status, he remains 'Cheeku' to him. Star India pacer Ishant Sharma has said that Virat Kohli is a childhood friend of his, and while he is a superstar to the world, he is 'Cheeku' to him, as he reminisced about their good old days of playing together for Delhi and eventually for the Indian national team. Ishant, who is currently playing for the Gujarat Titans, said that Kohli will always be Cheeku to those who grew up with him, reflecting on the friendship that dates back to their days in Delhi cricket. Ishant, who played beside Kohli from the U-17 level through to the senior level India side, said that the latter's public image of a superstar contrasts with the person he has known since childhood. '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 of mine. When we were in the U-19s, we used to count how much money we had," Ishant said while speaking on the Star Sports Press Room. '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. Imagine your brother has reached such heights," Ishant added. The veteran Indian pacer recalled his and Kohli's days in the under-19 setup, where they shared rooms, budgeted meals and saved travel allowances. Ishant said that their bond remained despite Kohli's stardom, in contrast to a few other cricketers who have claimed the opposite. '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," Ishant 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. When our India debut came, the name of the team came…he kicked me and said, Your name has come," Ishant added. First Published: May 18, 2025, 08:26 IST
India Today
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Virat Kohli will always be Cheeku for us: Ishant Sharma on his bond with India star
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 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 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 Kohli's elevation to global superstardom, Ishant said the core of their relationship has remained unchanged - one rooted in brotherhood, trust, and shared 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 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 our India debut came, the name of the team 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 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!. IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘He kicked me and said, your name has come': Ishant Sharma recalls how Virat Kohli let him know about India call up
Former India pacer Ishant Sharma reflected on his longstanding friendship with Virat Kohli which dates back to their early days in the Delhi cricket circles. He also recalled a quirky tale on how the former India skipper had informed him about the pacer's India call up. Both players made their international debuts in the late 2000s, with Sharma breaking into the national team just before Kohli. '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,' said Ishant. Sharma who has played alongside Kohli from the U-17 level through to the senior Indian side, said that the former India skipper will always be Cheeku to him as opposed to the star that other people see. '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. 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,' Ishant said in Star Sports Press Room ahead of his franchise Gujarat Titans' clash with the Delhi Capitals. '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. 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,' the pacer added. (With agency inputs)
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Who is the ideal candidate to replace Virat Kohli at No. 4 ahead of England Tests?
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli's Test retirement has forced the selectors to find a new, long-term option for the No. 4 slot. Kohli manned the position for over a decade after taking over from Sachin Tendulkar in 2013. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now India's batting has worn a vulnerable look since Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane started fading away and Kohli and subsequently hit a prolonged rough patch. There is a strong possibility that Shubman Gill, touted as India's next long-term captain, could be asked to take responsibility of the No. 4 spot to hold the batting together. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. However, it is not a straightforward call. Gill has been known to be a reluctant middleorder batter. It took much effort from previous head coach Rahul Dravid to convince him to give up the opening slot in Tests. One of the reasons behind the move was to prepare him for possibly taking up the No. 4 position when Kohli eventually vacated the spot. WV Raman, former India opener who coached India U-19s when Gill played, believes his spot should not be disturbed. 'Gill has opened or batted at No. 3 all his life. KL Rahul is the most experienced batter in the lineup. We don't have anyone to match the stature of Kohli and Tendulkar. In that scenario, the most experienced batter has to be given the responsibility of batting at No. 4,' Raman said. The selectors are also considering including Rajat Patidar in the squad. Karun Nair too could be in England for the India A tour. It will be interesting to see if the committee looks at , who has previously struggled overseas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Former India selector Devang Gandhi believes Rahul will do a good job at No. 4 given his experience in the middle order. 'Rahul's career has revolved around fitting in places where the team needed someone to fill in. At the moment, Sai Sudharsan is in form and has the confidence. Let him open,' Gandhi told TOI , 'If the team management feels Rahul is settled at the top, then they should see Gill as the option to bat at No. 4. Gill has the game of a good middle-order batter. We saw that during his days with India 'A'. And if he becomes captain, it could be a long-term responsible role.'
