Tanmay Srivastava was in the squad of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning team 2008 led by Virat Kohli. He was the highest scorer for India in that tournament. The Ranji Trophy cricketer recalls the old days when they just returned after winning that particular tournament — and how Virat Kohli became a great player after that.
In the recent interaction, Tanmay revealed that he was often sledged by the opposition in the first-class cricketer after the World Cup success. He also realised that the first-class is the real test than the age-group level cricket.
“When I went to play Ranji Trophy after playing the U-19 WC, I still remember initially for a few games when I took guard..’Piche slips se aawaz aati thi, bhai ye U-19 cricket nahi hai, baccho ka cricket nahi hai.’
“So initially, I used to get surprised why people said this. However, over a period of time I realized that FC cricket is the real test,” Srivastava said in a conversation with sports presenter Yash Kashikar on his Instagram live show ‘Say Yash to Sports.’
He also said that after winning the title, a lot of eyes are on the players. So, it’s important to give the best to maintain your position at the domestic level as well to open the door for international cricket.
Tanmay Srivastava says Virat Kohli is the ‘best in the world’:
Tanmay recalled that Kohli was also well aware of the fact that he had to be at the top owing to the domestic level — to earn the national team call-up. He said that the current Indian captain had the hunger to score runs and give his best at every role he was assigned.
“Even when Virat (Kohli) played with me, he had the hunger to be the number one player in the team. Whatever he did he wanted to be the best in it. While batting he wanted to score the most number of runs, while fielding he wanted to be the best, and even while playing any game he wanted to win that as well. So, he always wanted to prove something,” Tanmay Srivastava stated.
He said that Virat Kohli’s constant efforts had made him the big player and the best in the world right now. India’s batting mainstay is now admired for his batting, fielding and fitness.
“Also, over the years he has taken his game to a different level altogether. If you see, whether it is batting, fielding or fitness for that matter. The entire world admires him. The changes he brought in his game and the sacrifices he made, only because of it he is the best in the world right now,” Srivastava added.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is currently in the UAE to play the IPL 2020 scheduled to begin from 19th September.