Decorated India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Virat Kohli revealed how former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher had a profound impact on him during his initial years in the Indian Premier League. Kohli noted his conversation with the great Boucher ‘stunned’ him.
"Out of all players I played with initially, Mark Boucher had the biggest impact on me. He figured out what my weaknesses could be, If I wanted to go to the next level, this is what I need to do, without me asking him anything. He told me that 'when I came to commentate in India three-four years from now and I do not see you playing for India, you would do a disservice to yourself. So he really stunned me with the conversations he had with me,” Kohli said while speaking on RCB Podcast's upcoming episode, a trailer of which was released on the team's official 'X' handle.
Kohli, who has been a part of RCB since the start of the IPL, highlighted the immense love and support he receives from fans.
"The love that I have received from the fans, I do not think any silverware or any trophy can come close to that," Kohli said.
Kohli also touched upon his T20I retirement, saying he took the decision to make way for the youngsters.
"I do not think things have changed for me in any way. The decision (to leave T20Is) was taken purely understanding that there is a new set of players who are more than ready and they need time, they need a 2-year cycle to evolve, handle pressure, play in different parts of the world, and play enough games to the point where when the World Cup comes, they feel like they are ready," Kohli said.