Who decided to dedicate a Virat Kohli pavilion to the indian superstar? Former DDCA chief finally reveals

Former Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) Chief and the current Editor-in-chief of India TV Rajat Sharma explained how the Virat Kohli pavilion came into being at the Arun Jaitley stadium. Sharma recently appeared in a podcast organized by the news agency ANI where the renowned Journalist disclosed how he convinced the BCCI to do so.

Rajat Sharma stated that during the ending days of his tenure as the DDCA president, he requested late former Union Minister Arun Jaitley to honor Virat Kohli by dedicating a pavilion in his name. Usually, we have seen in the past that players get pavilions or a particular stand on their names post-retirement. However, given the amount of success Kohli amassed in his career by 2019, Sharma was obliged to dedicate him a pavilion in his home ground.

Rajat Sharma reveals 12th September was the day when the Virat Kohli pavilion came into being

Rajat Sharma, who resigned from his DDCA role back in 2019, revealed that after his request was approved by Arun Jaitley, he went on to speak to authorities of the BCCI. Then after he met with the apex board, the entire Indian cricketing team was supposed to be in New Delhi. There it was decided that on 12th September, Virat Kohli would receive this once-in-a-lifetime honor.

“Then the last thing I did was, I wanted to dedicate a pavilion to the name of Virat Kohli. Then one day I told Arun Ji that all of these Cricketers get these things once they retire but that doesn’t inflict any inspiration. And Virat Kohli is such a big player, he belongs to Delhi, made himself a name, comes from an ordinary family so I want to dedicate him a Pavilion – Virat Kohli pavilion.” – Rajat Sharma said via ANI podcast.

“So then he said it’s a very good idea, carry it out. Then I informed the BCCI about it and there was a day when the entire cricket team was supposed to be here (Delhi), Virat will be present too and the date of 12th September was decided.” – Rajat Sharma concluded.

That was perhaps the best thing Rajat Sharma did during his time at the DDCA which was mainly marred by controversies and indifferences with people at higher positions. On November 16, 2019, Sharma relinquished his role, stating that there was internal chaos and that he found it impossible to continue as the president. “The situation in DDCA is completely chaotic and I find it impossible to continue any further as President.” – Sharma wrote on his resignation letter.

Virat Kohli to join RCB camp in a few days

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is all set to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp in the upcoming days to prepare for the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League.

Virat Kohli will be in action right away when the Faf Du Plessis-led RCB travel to the MA Chidambaram stadium to take on MS Dhoni’s reigning champions Chennai Super Kings on March 22nd. Kohli has been out of action since January and he will make his competitive return through the upcoming edition.