Virat Kohli is all set to play his 100th test match on Friday at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Friday. Ahead of his milestone test, his former team-mate Punit Bisht recalled Kohli’s fighting knock in the Ranji Trophy, on the day of his father’s demise.
On Day 3 of the Delhi vs Karnataka, Ranji Trophy match in 2016, the overnight batter Punit Bisht saw his batting partner Virat Kohli sitting in the corner of the dressing room with tears filled in his eyes.
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s 100th Test Match: Statistics, Records And Upcoming Milestones
Kohli had just lost his father Prem, a lawyer, who suffered a brain stroke just a few hours back in the middle of the night. Bisht recalls that Kohli was ready to bat, despite the tragedy.
“To this day I wonder, how in the world did he muster the courage to drop in at the ground. We were all numb at his tragedy and here the boy was standing in the dressing room and ready to go out and bat. Mind it, his father’s last rites hadn’t been performed and he had just come because he didn’t want his team to lose a batter as we were not in a great position,” said Punit Bisht to TOI.
Virat was in a zone during those hours: Punit Bisht
Virat Kohli scored 90 runs off 238 balls and partnered with Punit Bisht to put together a crucial 152-runs partnership stand. The match eventually ended in a draw.
Further speaking about Kohli’s innings, Bisht revealed that the right-hander showed immense grit and courage. He remembers Kohli, asking him to bat for long, to bail the team out of trouble.
“Virat was in a zone during those hours. I think for those few hours, he had stopped reacting to grief and showed grit like never before. He played some lovely flicks and his signature cover drive.”
“We had very little conversation. He would just come and say, ‘lamba khelna hai, out nahi hona hai’. I didn’t even know what to say. Often in my heart, a feeling would crop up that let me just put my hand on his head, say a few words of comfort. My head said that no, we have a job to do and let’s focus on that. I think he got a debatable decision and missed out on a hundred,” recalled Punit Bisht.
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