Indian batter Sarfaraz Khan recently shared his admiration for star batter Virat Kohli, reflecting on their time together with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2015 to 2018.
Sarfaraz, who will be playing alongside Virat Kohli in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, praised Kohli’s unmatched passion, spirit, and preparation.
In an interview with JioCinema, Sarfaraz recalled how Kohli’s leadership and confidence left a lasting impression on him during their IPL days. He recounted how Virat would stand up in pre-match meetings and predict how many runs he would score against specific bowlers, breaking down his strategy for the team.
Sarfaraz expressed admiration for Kohli’s ability to back his words with action, calling it a “very unique ability.”
He fondly recalled their first meeting at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where he impressed Kohli with a 45-run knock from 21 balls, leading Kohli to bow in appreciation. Sarfaraz shared that it had always been his dream to share the Indian team dressing room with Kohli, and he is eagerly looking forward to that opportunity.
Sarfaraz also highlighted the lessons he learned from Kohli about game preparation and work ethics. Kohli’s disciplined approach, from his fitness routines to his mental clarity, has deeply inspired Sarfaraz, who admired how Kohli doesn’t let praise or criticism affect his game. Among Virat’s signature shots, Sarfaraz mentioned his love for Kohli’s flick shot and cover drive.
Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut for India earlier this year during the series against England, in which Kohli missed due to the birth of his second child. Sarfaraz had an impressive start, scoring 200 runs at an average of 50.00, including three fifties.
India’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh begins on September 19 in Chennai, with the second Test scheduled for September 27 in Kanpur. Following this series, India will face New Zealand in a three-Test series starting October 16, followed by the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in November.
