Former RCB pacer Dillon du Preez revealed that Ray Jennings, who was head coach of RCB back then, predicted in 2009 that Virat Kohli would be the next Indian captain. Kohli was added to the RCB squad by a draft pick after the youngster led India to win the title of U19 World Cup in 2008.
After making his international debut in 2008, Virat Kohli had to wait for another 12 months to play the next series for India. But the RCB coach Ray Jennings was so impressed with him that he made this bold prediction 4 years early that he made his captaincy debut in 2013.
Virat Kohli made his captaincy debut for India in 2013
In an interview with Swagcricket.com, Dillon du Preez recalled the conversation during the IPL 2009 held in South Africa.
“Virat was still a youngster in 2009, didn’t really know him that well, but from Day 1 you could see this guy could play. I remember Ray Jennings tell Virat he will be the next Indian captain, What a vision! Till today he is one of my favourites to watch,” du Preez said.
RCB ended up as runners-up in that edition as they lost the final against Deccan Chargers. Recalling the experience, du Preez said cherished the memories to play along with the legends of the game.
“Being in the change room of RCB definitely changed my life. I remember sitting there in the corner to my right I had Dravid and to my left Kumble was sitting,” he added.
du Preez played two games for RCB in that season which included a sensational debut against Mumbai Indians where he returned with sensational figures 3/32 which included a prized scalp of Sachin Tendulkar as his first wicket.
“When I looked in front of me I saw Pietersen, Kallis, Boucher, Taylor, Virat and the 2 Kumar’s (Praveen and Bhuvneshwar). I remember thinking. What the hell am I doing here. You can’t buy the experience in that change room,” he added.
Dillon du Preez is currently working as assistant coach of the South Africa women’s team. In his career, he played 92 first-class matches, 134 List-A and 86 T20s though he never got a chance to represent South Africa at the international level.
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