Harbhajan Singh reveals moment he knew 'dada player' Virat Kohli was destined for greatness

Legendary Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has recently paid massive tribute to batting maestro Virat Kohli, acknowledging his remarkable influence on Indian cricket. By referring to Kohli as “a Dada player,” Harbhajan has not just praised Kohli’s talent but also highlighted the profound impact he has had on the game.

Reflecting on Virat Kohli’s early days in the Indian cricket team, the two-time World Cup winner recalled how the dashing right-hander quickly transformed from a promising newcomer to a global cricket icon. He also recalled Virat Kohli’s memorable face-off with Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis.

Harbhajan Singh recalls Virat Kohli's early days in the Indian cricket team

Well, one crucial moment in Virat Kohli’s career came during his encounter with Mendis, a bowler known for his unconventional bowling style. Harbhajan Singh said that the Sri Lankan bowler posed a tough challenge to every Indian batter, but Kohli not only faced the challenge head-on but dominated it.

This defining moment, as remembered by Harbhajan, was a clear demonstration of Kohli’s ability to thrive under pressure—a quality that has become a hallmark of the former Indian skipper’s illustrious career. The former spinner said that he had realized at that time Kohli was going to become a big player in the future, and the rest is history.

Harbhajan Singh said on Taruwar Virat Kohli’s podcast on YouTube: “Kohli is a Dada player. I remember when he came into the Indian team for the first time, everyone was struggling against Mendis then Kohli played against him, that time I realised, He is gonna be a big player in the future.”

Harbhajan Singh said "Kohli is a Dada player. I remember when he came into the Indian team for the first time, everyone was struggling against Mendis then Kohli played against him, that time I realised, He is gonna be a big player in the future". [Taruwar Kohli YT] pic.twitter.com/KbvlHTCyXH

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 2, 2024

Earlier, Harbhajan said that it would be beneficial for Indian cricket if big stars like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah participated in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024. He believes that the presence of such prominent players in domestic tournaments serves as a significant motivation for other players.

Virat, Rohit and Bumrah should play domestic cricket: Harbhajan Singh

He feels their involvement could elevate the tournament's quality, making it even more prestigious. However, Harbhajan acknowledged that the decision to participate ultimately rests with the players, but he hopes they will take part in future domestic cricket.

Harbhajan said on Sports Tak: “It would be great if they play in the Duleep Trophy 2024. When a big player features in these tournaments, it motivates other players who are playing alongside them."

Notably, Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah will return to action in the upcoming two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh. The India vs. Bangladesh Test series is all set to kick off on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Rohit and Kohli were last seen in action in the ODI series in Sri Lanka, where they suffered an embarrassing series loss, while Bumrah is on break since the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in the Caribbean.