Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan is eager to reunite with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Sarfaraz, who made his Test debut against England earlier this year, expressed his excitement about sharing the dressing room with Kohli, describing his passion and leadership as "unmatched."
Reflecting on his first encounter with Kohli, Sarfaraz recalled a special moment when the former India captain bowed to him after he scored 45 runs off 21 balls during a match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. "I had a lot of fun that day. It’s always been a dream to share the Indian dressing room with him, and I hope that opportunity comes soon," Sarfaraz shared.
The young batter also praised Kohli’s ability to inspire teammates and lead with confidence. "His passion and spirit are unmatched. Even in pre-match meetings, he would take charge, predicting how many runs he’d score off certain bowlers and then go out and deliver. It’s a unique ability," Sarfaraz told JioCinema.
Dhruv Jurel, another promising talent, also spoke highly of Kohli, recalling a conversation where he asked Kohli for the secret to his consistency. "I asked him how he stayed so consistent and how I could improve. He told me that doing the boring, repetitive things is key. If it were easy, everyone would do it," Jurel shared. He also added that Kohli’s discipline and focus have helped shape his own approach to the game.
Sarfaraz further highlighted what he learned from Kohli during their time together at Royal Challengers, Bangalore. "Kohli is very clear about his game. He knows what work a player needs to do and doesn't let criticism or praise affect his performance. He sticks to his routine and stays focused," he said.
Both players also expressed admiration for Kohli’s batting techniques. Jurel pointed out Kohli’s ability to step out and hit over the covers, while Sarfaraz mentioned his love for Kohli’s flick shot and cover drive.
The first Test between India and Bangladesh will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting on Thursday.