Among the Best
Sports Illustrated India|November 2016

Kohli’s Story of a Middle-class Delhi Boy Nurturing Dreams of Making It Big in Cricket to Becoming a Youth Icon Is an Unfinished Tale of Grit, Talent and the Burning Desire to Be Counted...

Vijay Lokapally
Among the Best

THERE WAS turmoil in Delhi cricket. Some seniors were in the firing line of the state selectors as quite a few youngsters were waiting to break into the squad. There was discontent among the seniors. They felt their services to the team were being undermined, but the selectors insisted they had a job at hand—to give Delhi cricket a push in the right direction. The last Ranji Trophy title had come home in 1992, when Delhi dashed Tamil Nadu’s dreams in the final at the Ferozeshah Kotla. The pressure was on the seniors and the message was loud and clear—perform or make way for the youngsters.

Vijay Dahiya, a Test wicket keeper and a stalwart in the dressing room, was given a tough choice—announce retirement or face the axe. He chose to leave on his own terms, paving the way for Punit Bisht to assume the wicket keeper’s role. ‘It is always better to go out on a high. I don’t wish to block a youngster’s way and it is the best time to leave. I don’t want to be unfair to Punit. He must get the backing to settle into his job,’ Dahiya had said. Dahiya’s debut had come against Punjab in 1993-94. He had been a member of the North Zone teams, which won the Duleep and Deodhar Trophy in 1999-2000. He had played in two Tests and 19 ODI's.

This was not the best time for Virat to take the plunge into first-class cricket, but it was hardly his call. He had made enough waves to earn a place in the state senior team, and was keen to take the first step towards his ultimate goal of turning out in the India colours. Virat was over the moon when he was asked to report for the nets. It was in preparation for the Ranji Trophy season’s opening league match against Tamil Nadu at the Kotla. There was another debutant in that game—fast bowler Ishant—who was destined to play international cricket alongside Virat.

This story is from the November 2016 edition of Sports Illustrated India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 2016 edition of Sports Illustrated India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM SPORTS ILLUSTRATED INDIAView All
Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory
Sports Illustrated India

Hockey World Cup- India Gears Up For Glory

Hosts India will have to play out of their skins to win their second Hockey Men’s World Cup title.

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2018
Best Fitness Games For Workout
Sports Illustrated India

Best Fitness Games For Workout

If going to the gym and bulking up the body is your idea of getting in shape, it’s time you reconsider it. From bodyweight training to resistance and high-intensity workouts, here is how you can ace the fitness game without giving up on your workout targets for the year yet again.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2016
Novak Djokovic Has Proved His Mettle Yet Again
Sports Illustrated India

Novak Djokovic Has Proved His Mettle Yet Again

Sport can be cruel and unforgiving, but it is also humbling. Over the years, many great athletes have succumbed to the various forces in playmost of which, if not all, are not under their controland while some could never reclaim their past glory, others showed why they really can never be counted out. Novak Djokovic is one of them

time-read
9 mins  |
October 2018
Do Virat Kohli's Captaincy Skills Call For A DRS?
Sports Illustrated India

Do Virat Kohli's Captaincy Skills Call For A DRS?

No doubt Virat Kohli is the best batsman to have emerged from India in recent years. He is a lion among kittens, Atlas shouldering the weight of India's batting. But, as a captain overseas, he has a long way to go.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2018
Lebron James
Sports Illustrated India

Lebron James

In 2016, Northeast Ohio’s Favourite Son Used His Incomparable Skills to Deliver a Title to a Suddenly Revitalised City, While Using His Voice to Have an Even Wider Impact.

time-read
10+ mins  |
January/February 2017
Winter Workout: Hot Moves For Cold Days
Sports Illustrated India

Winter Workout: Hot Moves For Cold Days

With the advent of the chilly months, it can become tough to brave the cold and train when all you want to do is curl up under a warm blanket. Trainer Raoul Hirani and physiotherapist Tariq Wasim tell us how professional footballer keep going, without letting the cold play spoilsport.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2015
A Steep Learning Curve
Sports Illustrated India

A Steep Learning Curve

Making the transition from the junior level to the senior team has been quite challenging but a hugely rewarding experience.

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2016
Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio
Sports Illustrated India

Scorecard - Don't Blame It on Rio

Apathy towards the Olympics could cast golf in a negative light and jeo paradise its standing with the IOC for the 2024 Games and beyond.

time-read
5 mins  |
June - July 2016
Rahul Dravid: The Great Wall Of India
Sports Illustrated India

Rahul Dravid: The Great Wall Of India

Rahul Dravid’s contribution to Indian cricket or, rather, the game, is not just confined to his record with the bat. A true philosopher, he continues to inspire as well as serve cricket on and off the field.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2016
P.V. Sindhu, Sportsperson Of The Year
Sports Illustrated India

P.V. Sindhu, Sportsperson Of The Year

A Dream Run at the 2016 Olympics was followed by major successes on the International tour, making Sindhu the unanimous choice for the sportsperson of the Year award

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2017