Virat Kohli had expressed his disappointment over India under-19 World Cup star Sarfaraz Khan’s fitness and fielding standards during the last Indian Premier League season despite the Mumbai lad’s heroics with the bat.

Looks like the 18-year-old Royal Challengers batsman has taken his captain’s comments in the right spirit and even joined a training and fitness camp organised by RCB and Indian team strength and fitness trainer Shankar Basu in Chennai.

Sarfaraz will now leave for England where he will train and play matches.

Sarfaraz was kept on the bench for most of the tournament during IPL 2016, except the first five matches. Kohli had revealed the reason saying that the boy needs to work hard on his fitness and fielding before getting a place to play in the team. There have also been rumours around that Sarfaraz had an ‘attitude problem’ because of which he was not being allowed to play.

“He told me to work hard. I think he’s given me the bow and arrow to help me conquer my target This means a lot to me,” after the IPL final said Sarfaraz, who has a special place in Kohli’s heart. Kohli gave him a bat and a pair of gloves after the IPL 2016 final.

“I am trying hard to match Virat sir’s expectations. Basu sir has given me a fitness and training schedule. I will work accordingly in England where I will try and reduce my fat levels, keep fit and become stronger,” Sarfaraz told Mid-day on Saturday.

Sarfaraz along with his younger brother Musheer — the Mumbai under-14 left-arm spinner — will leave for a month-long tour of England where they will represent G Force Cricket Academy in Surrey.

Sarfaraz Khan, for those connected to Mumbai cricket, was always a prodigy and a star in the making. His performances in his formative years often saw glowing endorsements from some of the city’s former cricketers, including those who went on to represent the country with much distinction.