Kohli is reaping rewards for what he had sown 15 years ago: Uthappa

When Virat Kohli made his debut in 2008, he was coming off a victorious 2008 U-19 campaign, in which India defeated South Africa in the final. While there was talent in abundance, Kohli’s image notoriously was one of a ‘brash young Delhi boy’. 

Over the next 16 years of international cricket, not only did Kohli change that image, but also went on to attain legendary status. While the change didn’t come overnight, it was a decision that Kohli took long back, which has now helped him reap the rewards. 

The 35-year-old also changed the outlook on fitness in the country, with several budding cricketers now looking to attain that level of fitness. Robin Uthappa has seen him from close quarters, and the former Indian cricketer couldn’t help but laud Kohli for his transformation. 

"I have actually seen Virat kind of evolve from a brash young Delhi boy to an evolved human being. You know the evolution has been quite tremendous, to be honest. Today he's practically reaping what he had sown 15 years ago,” Uthappa said on Cricket.com's 'Unwind'. 

Earlier last year, at the ODI World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli notched up his 50th ODI hundred, further strengthening his case to go down as one of the best cricketers that the 50-over format has ever seen. Across formats, Kohli has already scored over 20,000 runs, averaging a staggering 49.15 (Tests), 58.67 (ODIs) and 48.69 (T20Is) across formats. 

"One of the things that has always stood out to me about Cheeku has been his conviction in himself," Uthappa added. 

"When I listen to a young 19-year-old Virat Kohli, you know talking about himself or his conviction in himself, you'll get mortified, you'll be like 'What is this dude talking about?'. "But fast forward 10 years and you be like 'Okay now that makes sense.'"

"A lot of these things is all fluff and no stuff, but Virat showed us that there was stuff behind the talk as well. He is obsessed. I remember went last year to interview some of the RCB boys, and finished his interview, and then the next thing you know that he's in the gym, and he doesn't need to be, but he was there in the gym, hashing out an hour-long workout before he went back and spent time with his family."

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