‘His diet, mental strength, and cricket went to a different level’ – India’s star pacer heaps praise on Virat Kohli ahead of the West Indies tour

Former India cricketer Ishant Sharma complimented his teammate Virat Kohli for turning around from a party monster to the team’s finest player. The right-arm pacer further added that Kohli’s lifestyle and mental fortitude helped him progress in the game of cricket.

Ishant and Kohli, who went on to play first-class cricket after progressing to the U-17 and U-19 age groups, respectively, have undoubtedly cemented themselves as India’s stars. They developed a solid bond during the course of their tenure as well. Additionally, their close relationship was evident during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

The star seamer recalled an era when they were both in their U-19 stages and chase master Kohli struck a magnificent double hundred in the match, despite being around for an entire night partying.

“We were playing a U-19 match in Kolkata. He was batting overnight, yet partied all night and the next day he scored 250. I have seen that phase of Kohli as well. The best thing about him, according to me, is how he changed his physical aspect starting in 2012, after the World Cup. He was training, but because of his diet, his mental strength and cricket, in general, went to a different level,” Ishant said this on the recent podcast of renowned YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s Beer Biceps.

The word ‘hope’ does not exist in his dictionary; it only has the word belief: Ishant Sharma 

The 34-year-old cricketer further claimed that the term “hope” cannot be found in his dictionary and applauded Virat Kohli for his upbeat perspective on sport and the power of his self-belief.

“Sachin [Tendulkar] paaji used to say hope is not a word, it’s a feeling. But if you speak to Virat Kohli, the word ‘hope’ does not exist in his dictionary. His dictionary only has ‘belief’. If you have belief, you can do anything. He is so intense,” he added further.

Meanwhile, Kohli will next be seen in action during India’s upcoming tour of the West Indies, which commences on July 12. He has played 109 Test matches for the Men in Blue and has accumulated 8479 runs so far.