This Ex-Indian Cricketer calls Virat Kohli stubborn in his early days

Ex-Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh recalled the time when Virat Kohli was his Test mate. The ace batter had a torrid time while playing against West Indies in a 2011 Test Series. Despite being a regular pick in white ball cricket, the Indian ‘Run Machine’ had to wait for his debut in the longest format of the game. 

Kohli smashed 76 runs in 5 innings at an average of 15.20 against the Caribbean side. In a podcast, Harbhajan disclosed the self-doubts Virat faced after his first Test series. 

“We were in the West Indies, and Fidel Edwards was having a good time against Virat Kohli. He was failing to score runs and was disappointed. He was doubting himself. I told him that if he doesn’t score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, he will shame himself,’ Harbhajan Singh said.

“He has the capability of scoring 10,000 Test runs, and I said that if he doesn’t; it is going to be his own fault. After that, what Kohli has achieved is exceptional.”

In 113 Test matches, Kohli has accumulated 8,848 runs containing 29 centuries. 

“Kohli was more stubborn than me”: Harbhajan Singh

The 44-year-old spinner also praised Kohli for his stubbornness & aggressive behaviour as it allowed him to win matches for India. Kohli has smashed a total of 26,000 runs in International cricket. 

“He has changed a lot in terms of diet and fitness. He wanted to be remembered by everyone, and Kohli has reached that place. Kohli was more stubborn than me and it has helped him in scoring hundreds,” he said.

Virat Kohli will be soon back in action for Team India in the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh commencing from September 19.