"Virat Kohli is like my own son" - Chetan Sharma

Chetan Sharma’s relationship with Virat Kohli was debatable throughout his stint as the Chairman of selectors for the BCCI. He was named as the Chairman of selectors leading an expert panel. 

In December 2020, he was elected as chairman of the selection committee of the Indian cricket team. Later in November 2022, he was sacked from the position after team India’s exit from the T20 Cricket World Cup. Sharma’s second stint as chairman of the national selection committee ended in around 40 days. The former India player was forced to resign three days after a sting operation showed him talking about India team players and selection issues that have raked up a controversy.

He was unaware that his future as chief selector was in danger when he spoke about various cricket issues, unaware of Zee News’ hidden camera. He revisited Virat Kohli’s controversial removal as ODI skipper in late 2021, described Rohit Sharma’s T20 future as bleak and claimed that Hardik Pandya and other players would come home for hours and that many India cricketers took injections to show they were fully fit.

Recently in an interaction with News 24, the former chairman of selectors spoke on the various issues of Indian cricket and also spoke about Kohli. He spoke about how his relationship with Kohli was misunderstood by one and all. 

When asked about Virat Kohli, he said “Dekhiye Virat bacche ki tarah hai (Virat is like my own son). He has played from Delhi as well. He is very dear to me and very younger than me. I am always happy when someone is called the legend of his country. I wish him all the best for his future endeavors,” quipped Sharma. 

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Hopes Virat Kohli Scores Century On His Return: Chetan Sharma

He further hoped that Kohli would score big once he returns back to the Indian cricket team after the second Test. Kohli is currently not a part of the Indian team due to personal reasons. Rajat Patidar was named as his replacement. 

“I wish Kohli scores a century on his return in the third Test against England. I am also hoping that he reaches closer to his target of scoring hundred international hundreds. I am waiting for that,” concluded Sharma. 

Meanwhile, India lost the first Test against England by 28 runs even after taking a lead of 190 in the first innings. India failed to chase 231 in the absence of Virat Kohli who had communicated to the BCCI regarding his absence from the first two Tests due to personal reasons. 

Heading into the second Test in Vizag India will be without KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja who have picked up injuries. Thus it is a major setback for India who are already without Kohli and Mohammed Shami. 

Safaraz Khan received his maiden India call-up ahead of the second Test against England. Sarfaraz along with Washington Sundar and Saurabh Kumar were added to the Indian squad after KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were ruled out as injury concerns. Sarfaraz came in as a replacement for Rahul while Sundar was named a potential replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.

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