Delhi, India – Cricket fans were in for a surprise as Virat Kohli, India’s cricketing sensation, opened up about his feelings regarding playing in front of a pavilion named after him at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This candid revelation came ahead of India’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan, set to take place at the historic stadium where Kohli honed his cricketing skills during his formative years.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, was renamed to honor the former India captain and cricketing legend. Kohli’s association with this ground dates back to his early days when he played age-group cricket and represented Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. This stadium holds special memories for him as it was where his cricketing journey truly began. It’s where he caught the eye of selectors, earned his first opportunity to play for India, and developed into the cricketing icon we know today.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Kohli engaged in a conversation with KL Rahul, discussing their partnership against Australia in the opening match of the World Cup. This partnership was instrumental in India’s victory over the mighty Australians.
During their conversation, the topic shifted to Kohli’s experience of facing bowlers near the pavilion that now bears his name. He reflected on the profound impact the Arun Jaitley Stadium had on his career, acknowledging the significance of the ground in his cricketing journey.
Kohli said, “For me, that is the stadium where I grew up playing age-group and Ranji cricket. I also played for India there. Those memories stay fresh in your mind. You can feel it because that is where everything started, selectors saw you for the first time and gave you an opportunity. It is special to go back and play at Arun Jaitley Stadium. We used to practice in B grounds and watch Ranji teams practice in the main grounds. It is awkward for me to be playing in front of a pavilion named after me. I do not like to talk about it a lot. But it is a great honor, and I feel happy and grateful about it; it is something I never felt would happen to me.”
The pavilion’s renaming as the ‘Virat Pavilion Stand’ is a testament to Kohli’s extraordinary achievements in international cricket. While Kohli remains humble about the honor, it underscores his iconic status in Indian cricket and his significant contributions to the sport.
Kohli also took a moment to reflect on his memorable partnership with KL Rahul against Australia, which played a crucial role in India’s successful chase of a 200-run target, despite a challenging start that left them at 2/3. He expressed that this partnership was “bit more special” than their previous partnership against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, where they put together a remarkable 233-run partnership for the third wicket.
As Kohli gears up to lead India in the Cricket World Cup match against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, fans will undoubtedly be looking forward to witnessing his exceptional cricketing skills in a place that holds a special place in his heart—a pavilion that bears his name, serving as a testament to his remarkable journey from a young aspiring cricketer to a cricketing legend.
