Virat Kohli labelled Stingy by Ishant Sharma

In a recent interview in the Star Sports press room, Ishant Sharma recalled his childhood friendship with Virat Kohli. Sharma added that despite becoming the biggest star in world cricket, Kohli remains Cheeku to him.

Ishant reminisced about their good old days, as both had played at the junior level together for Delhi and then went on to play for India at the same time.

Read also: Virat Kohli finally takes action, forces Rahul Vaidya to make shocking U-turn and bow down to him

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Virat Kohli-Ishant Sharma bond

Ishant and Kohli played together from the under-17 level, and Ishant has known Kohli since childhood. Kohli is a superstar for outside people, but he is still his 'Cheeku' because of his childhood friendship.

Ishant stated that he never talked about cricket when they both met outside the ground. Only funny jokes have been passed by both players.

Ishant Sharma recalls U-19 days

Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli both shared the dressing room in their Under-19 cricket days. They shared rooms also and saved travel allowances as both have less money.

"When we were in the U-19s, we used to count how much money we had. We used to eat food. When we used to go to the U-19s, we used to save our TAs and take them with us. So, Virat Kohli is different for everyone. He is different to me," Sharma stated.

Everyone thinks Kohli is great, but at the end of the day, he is also a human being. Ishant knew him from in and out and embraced their friendship.

"I have never felt that he is Virat Kohli. For us, he is Cheeku. We have always seen it like this. He has also seen me like this. We are sleeping together and sharing a room." Ishant added.

Both players played U-19 cricket together and then went on to the senior team in the 2000s. Ishant made his debut before Kohli, but after that, Ishant played under his friend.

Ishant also reminisced about the day when his name came up for the India national team. Kohli kicked him and said, Your name has come and you will play for India, Ishant summoned up.

Ishant Sharma’s memorable moments under Kohli’s captaincy

Ishant played most of his international cricket under MS Dhoni, but he rates Kohli above all the Indian skippers because of his aggressive nature and how he led a fiery fast-bowling attack for India.

Ishant was in the squad when India won their first series against Australia in Australia, and Kohli was the skipper at that time.

Currently, Ishant is playing for Gujarat Titans, and his friend announced his retirement from Test cricket and T20Is. Now he will be seen only in ODIs and IPL.