Virat Kohli ditches Sachin Tendulkar to pick the player who influenced him the most

Virat Kohli opened up about a powerful early influence that helped shape his journey, and that is none other than South African great Mark Boucher.

Before the world hailed him as the king of modern cricket, a young Virat Kohli was still finding his feet in international cricket; Mark Boucher was already a key figure at the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Between 2008 and 2010, Boucher featured in 27 matches for RCB, scoring 388 runs at an average close to 30. And during those formative days, it was Boucher who unexpectedly became a game-changer in Kohli's mindset.

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He revealed that Boucher offered raw insights into his game without being asked and told him to work on those areas if he truly wanted to go miles.

Virat Kohli reflects on Mark Boucher’s powerful impact on his early career

But it was not just South African legend’s advice, but the sheer intensity with which he told him that stunned Kohli. Now one of the all-time greats, Kohli, credited Boucher’s early words that lit a fire within him and said that the Proteas legend had the most impact on him.

Virat Kohli said on RCB’s podcast, “Out of all the players I played with initially, 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 come 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.”

Read Also: Asia Cup 2025 to be cancelled as India vs Pakistan Diplomacy war begins

Virat Kohli reveals why he has not left RCB

Meanwhile, the former Indian captain shared why he has stayed with the RCB since the beginning of his IPL journey. The former Indian skipper said that it’s the bond and mutual respect he shares with the team and fans that matter most. Kohli added, “The love that I have received from the fans, I do not think any silverware or any trophy can come close to that.”

The RCB icon has stressed that his retirement from T20I cricket hasn’t changed anything for him in the ongoing IPL 2025. He made the decision to step aside so that younger players could get the chance and experience they needed to grow and be fully prepared for future events.

Things have changed for me in any way after T20I retirement: Virat Kohli

He signed off by saying, “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.”

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐭. 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢: 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑 😇

Virat’s unquestionable bond with RCB, the journey through the ultimate highs and crushing lows of a cricketer’s life, insights into the mindset that’s kept him consistent at the highest level… pic.twitter.com/IyoNkhYC3k

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 2, 2025

Notably, Virat Kohli and RCB both are on fire in the ongoing IPL 2025. While RCB is sitting in the second spot with 14 points from 10 games so far in the tournament, Virat is the third leading scorer with 443 runs presently.

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