'It shocked me' - Virat Kohli opens up on how his father's death impacted his game

Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)

Virat Kohli is one of the greatest batters in the world and he has been the epitome of greatness in the game of cricket. The hallmark of Kohli is that he always looks to win a match from any situation, and he has a wonderful, never-say-die attitude.

He has been a run machine in the game of cricket, and he has set very high standards in the game of cricket. There is none like him who aces a chase and is so cool and calm under pressure. He has been doing this for the Indian Team for a long time and he has scored tons of runs across formats.

The former India captain's birthday was on November 5, Saturday, and he turned 34. He is a legend and a superstar. He has left a glorious footprint on the game of cricket and his legacy will not be forgotten. Let us check out an unforgettable incident from Kohli’s life that changed him as a person.

It was my father's dream that I should play for India: Virat Kohli

It was in 2006 December, Kohli, who was playing for the Delhi Ranji Team, was sweating it out and was preparing meticulously for a four-day game. Then came the big jolt, the news came through that his father Prem Kohli was ill. He was taken to the hospital but, alas, he breathed his last time and could not be saved despite doctors doing their best.

Kohli could have gone back and taken a break from cricket at such a crucial time. But he said that he wanted to play the Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka, and he made a good knock despite the circumstances which surrounded him. He was seen crying out loud in the dressing room and was consoled by his Delhi teammates. Once the match concluded, he attended his father's funeral.

He said that his father's death had changed him as a person, "It was my father's dream that I should play for India. My father's death has shocked me. That difficult time affected me a lot. That day I had promised my brother that I would play for India. Cricket has been everything in my life since then. I don't want to give up cricket for any reason. My father's death taught me to fight in difficult times," Kohli was quoted as saying.