'Shikanji, Chole Kulche, Ghaziabad Memoeries': Virat Kohli Reminisces on Suresh Raina Kinship Ahead of RCB vs CSK Crunch Game

RCB star batter Virat Kohli opened up about his bond with former CSK cult hero Suresh Raina ahead of the battle between the teams in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League.

“In 2008, we played a game. India’s game against Australia,” Raina began.

“Back then the emerging players tournament had a special hype as all the best cricketers who were on the verge, of breaking into the big time, for their countries used to come and play,” added Kohli taking over.

“It was also an important tournament for us, I still remember, he heard about me,” he continued.

Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024

“It was mid-tournament and S Badrinath was the captain, and then Raina became the captain. And Pravin Amre was our coach and he had me sitting out. I did not perform in the initial games, and I was playing in the middle order,” he added.

“Raina saw me in the nets and asked him ‘ Why isn’t this lad playing?’.

“The answers that came in were W’e can’t find a place’, and unfortunately at that time I replaced Jinx (Ajinkya Rahane),”

“And Amre sir thought that I couldn’t open the innings. But Raina said, ‘he can do anything, please put him in,” he revealed.

“They asked me if I would open and I said ‘ I shall do anything, just let me play.”

Kohli went on to make a brilliant 120 runs against New Zealand, to which Dilip Vengsarkar, then selector, was in the stands to bear witness to and it created an impact on the legendary player.

“It is one thing to hear about and batter and another to actually watch it. It has a separate impact,” Kohli said.

“How he plays pressure situations and that game I managed to make 120 and he was convinced to give a chance going forward,” the 35-year-old said.

“And I am thankful to Raina for putting in a good word for me.”

READ MORE: ‘I’m as Hungry as Ever’: Virat Kohli’s Mindset Ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Campaign

“And this was my first interaction with him. We had fun going forward and we are from a similar region,”

“A lot of relatable experiences like Modi Nagar’s Shikanji, matches at Mohan Mahkes, Chole Kulche, Gazibad’s memories,” Kohli said.