Harbhajan Singh Asks Virat Kohli To ‘Enjoy’ Amid Ranji Trophy Return

January 30, 2025: Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has shared some simple yet profound advice for Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli, who is currently playing in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match for Delhi against Railways. Harbhajan, who has always been a vocal supporter of the young generation, had a special message for Kohli as he made his return to domestic cricket after more than a decade.

Kohli’s return to the Arun Jaitley Stadium for his first Ranji Trophy match since 2012 attracted massive attention, with fans flooding the stands to see their idol in action. The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when a fan managed to slip past security and made his way onto the field to touch Virat’s feet while he was stationed at the slips.

While Kohli’s performance on the field may be closely scrutinized, Harbhajan emphasized the importance of enjoyment over pressure. Reflecting on Kohli’s immense influence on young cricketers, Harbhajan said, “Virat Kohli is a role model. Youngsters will look up to him. If he scores runs or doesn’t, it is a different matter. If I was Virat Kohli, it would be to enjoy. When we start playing cricket, we play because we enjoy it.”

Harbhajan pointed out that, as a cricketer of Kohli’s stature, the pressure and expectations often overshadow the enjoyment of the game. He urged Virat to embrace the joy of cricket once again, stating, “When you reach Virat’s level, the pressure and expectations take the front seat while enjoyment takes the back seat. I want him to enjoy the game and tell youngsters how to be Virat Kohli.”

Kohli’s return to domestic cricket comes at a time when his form has been under the microscope. Despite being one of the best batsmen of his generation, 2024 was a lean year for Kohli in terms of runs. With only 655 international runs in 23 matches, Kohli struggled across all formats, particularly in red-ball cricket. In 10 Test matches last year, he could only manage 417 runs at an average of 24.52, with one century and one fifty.

Harbhajan, however, remains optimistic about Kohli’s return to form and believes the solution lies in patience. “Occupy the crease,” he advised. “When he goes out to bat, he should occupy the crease and spend three to four hours. Even if Virat scores zero, he will still be Virat Kohli. He will never be a lesser player. His achievements are very big. He should occupy the crease, and if he does that, he will score runs.”

Harbhajan’s message to Virat Kohli is clear—focus on the process, enjoy the game, and the runs will come naturally. With the backing of legends like Harbhajan, Kohli’s resilience and determination will undoubtedly help him get back to his best.