'He gave me the tickets ...': 'Proud' coach Rajkumar Sharma reveals after Virat Kohli's century against Pakistan

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli once again proved why he is one of the greatest batters in international cricket, leading India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Kohli played a masterclass innings, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls — his 51st ODI hundred and 82nd international century. He sealed the victory with a boundary, removed his helmet, looked towards the sky, and then made a calm-down gesture towards the stands.
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After the match, Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma, in an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, revealed that the gesture was directed at him. Sharma disclosed that he traveled to Dubai to watch his protege in action, with tickets arranged by Kohli himself, and was even staying in the same hotel as the Indian star.
"He is the one who gave me the tickets. I am staying in his hotel. He knows that I am sitting there. You feel proud of such a child. If you are his coach, then there is nothing more proud than this," Sharma said, beaming with pride.

Kohli's form has been a topic of discussion, with critics often questioning his performances during lean phases. Sharma, however, dismissed such doubts, emphasising Kohli's contributions to Indian cricket. "The expectations are so high that whenever he enters the ground, everybody thinks that he will win the match and score big runs. He is the country's biggest match-winner. I don't think any other player would have won so many matches," Sharma stated.
He further defended Kohli against excessive criticism, saying: "People need to realise that he is also a human being. Sometimes his form fluctuates, sometimes he gets a good ball. But class is permanent and he remains a class player."
Refuting rumours about Kohli losing his aggressive edge, Sharma asserted that the star batter still has plenty of cricket left in him. "If you look at his body language, his fitness, his skills — there is hardly any comparison. He is still as confident as ever."
As someone who has watched Kohli grow from a young cricketer to a family man, Sharma also spoke about how marriage and fatherhood have influenced him. "He was always aggressive on the ground and humble off it. People misunderstood him for his tattoos and style, but he has always been a respectful and humble guy. After marriage and having kids, he has mellowed a bit and become more religious, which is a great thing."

With India chasing a target of 242, Kohli's century guided them home comfortably, sealing victory with 45 balls and six wickets to spare. "He is very confident, and his body language showed that today. He is mentally strong, and that was visible in his innings," Sharma remarked.
For his coach, Kohli's hundred was a moment of relief and validation. "Why so much criticism? He has contributed so much to Indian cricket. His passion for the country is unmatched, and he still has a lot of cricket left in him," Sharma concluded.
With this win, India strengthened their position in Group A, while Kohli's tribute to his coach added an emotional touch to a remarkable night in Dubai.