Mallya Tells Reason Why He Picked Kohli at Such a Young Age
In a recent conversation with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Vijay Mallya, the former owner of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), reminisced about the time he bid for Virat Kohli in 2008. Mallya revealed that he was impressed by Kohli’s performance in the Under-19 World Cup, which led him to pick the young batsman for the RCB team.
Mallya’s revelation has sparked a lot of interest among cricket fans, who are eager to know more about the thought process behind his decision to pick Kohli at such a young age. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons behind Mallya’s decision and explore what made Kohli stand out from the rest.
A Look Back at Kohli’s U-19 Career
Before we dive into Mallya’s reasons for picking Kohli, let’s take a look at Kohli’s U-19 career. Kohli made his debut for the India Under-19 team in 2006 and quickly established himself as a talented young batsman. He scored 398 runs in the 2006 U-19 World Cup, which helped India reach the semifinals.
In the 2008 U-19 World Cup, Kohli once again showcased his skills, scoring 235 runs in the tournament. His impressive performances in the U-19 World Cup caught the attention of many, including Mallya, who was impressed by his aggressive batting style and ability to score runs under pressure.
Mallya’s Decision to Pick Kohli
In his conversation with Raj Shamani, Mallya revealed that he was impressed by Kohli’s performance in the U-19 World Cup and decided to pick him for the RCB team shortly before the actual selection process. Mallya’s decision to pick Kohli was not taken lightly, as he had to compete with other talented young cricketers for the team’s spot.
Mallya’s decision to pick Kohli was based on his impressive U-19 performances, as well as his ability to adapt to different conditions and oppositions. Kohli’s aggressive batting style, which is characterized by his ability to score runs quickly and take the attack to the opposition, was also a major factor in Mallya’s decision to pick him.
Kohli’s Success with RCB
Mallya’s decision to pick Kohli has proven to be a shrewd one, as Kohli has gone on to become one of the most successful batsmen in the IPL. In his 14-year career with RCB, Kohli has scored over 6,000 runs, including 37 half-centuries and four centuries. He has also led the team to several victories, including the IPL title in 2011.
Kohli’s success with RCB is a testament to Mallya’s ability to spot talent and invest in young players. Mallya’s decision to pick Kohli was based on his impressive U-19 performances, and Kohli has gone on to become one of the most successful batsmen in the IPL.
Mallya’s Dream RCB XI
In his conversation with Raj Shamani, Mallya also revealed his dream RCB XI, which includes some of the most talented young cricketers in the country. Mallya’s dream team includes names like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, among others.
Mallya’s dream team is a testament to his ability to spot talent and invest in young players. He has always been known for his ability to identify and nurture young talent, and his dream team is a reflection of his commitment to developing young cricketers.
Conclusion
Mallya’s decision to pick Kohli at such a young age has proven to be a shrewd one, as Kohli has gone on to become one of the most successful batsmen in the IPL. Kohli’s impressive U-19 performances, aggressive batting style, and ability to adapt to different conditions and oppositions were all major factors in Mallya’s decision to pick him.
Mallya’s dream RCB XI, which includes some of the most talented young cricketers in the country, is a testament to his ability to spot talent and invest in young players. His decision to pick Kohli has been a major factor in RCB’s success, and his dream team is a reflection of his commitment to developing young cricketers.
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