Virat Kohli has selected the New Zealander Kane Williamson as the best performer in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2008. The young Virat Kohli had gained initial fame after leading the India team to victory the U-19 World Cup 2008.
In the semi-final of that edition, Virat Kohli beat Kane Williamson-led New Zealand lads. Kohli remembers the old days when he was also trying to impress the selectors. He recalled that during that tournament Williamson was the batsman who was the star performer for his team.
“I remember playing against Kane (Williamson). He was someone who always stood out in the team, his batting ability was very different from the other players who were around. It is good to know that so many people from that batch, like Kane and Steve Smith, have played for their respective countries,” Kohli was quoted as saying in a media release by the ICC.
The ICC U19 World Cup was a very important milestone in my career – Virat Kohli
Steve Smith, Trent Boult and Tim Southee are of the same batch who was at that time young cricketers but now are experienced and have reached great heights in the cricket world.
Virat Kohli believes that the ICC U-19 World Cup was an important step for him to reach what he is now. He said that it is a platform that helps everyone to build their careers.
“The ICC U19 World Cup was a very important milestone in my career,” said Kohli
“It helped us get a good platform to build on and make our careers from thereon, so it holds a very important place in my mind and heart. It is very important to understand and respect the opportunity it provides to you.”
Now, Virat Kohli is one of the successful captains India has got. He took charge from MS Dhoni and is continuously giving his best to lead the Men in Blue.