Virat Kohli was on Instagram live in conversation with Kevin Pietersen and, as the former England cricketer described it, after a long time it was almost like two friends catching up. The much-anticipated talk began with Pietersen and Kohli discussing the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kohli said, “We managed to get away to a farm just before the lockdown. There is some space here. It is heartbreaking to see. People are having a tough time.”
The India skipper further added, “We have never been in one place for so long. It’s bizarre. It’s not a good thing to single out something like this as an opportunity to spend time together. But it is what it is. We are being cautious and staying positive. If not for this, I’d be hanging out with you at Chinnaswamy stadium.”
The former England batsman then asked Virat where he got his nickname ‘Chiku’, and Virat confessed, “I got this nickname from a coach in the Ranji Trophy. I used to have big cheeks then. In 2007 I thought I was losing hair. I got my hair cropped and my cheeks and ears stood out. I got the name from a cartoon character. The rabbit in the comic book Champak.”
Interestingly Virat Kohli went on to reveal that it was former India captain MS Dhoni who made his nickname famous by shouting it out loud at all times from behind the stumps.
The conversation between the two iconic players then took a sharp turn and Kohli went to say that the 2014 England Tour was the lowest point in his career.
Pietersen then asked Kohli about RCB never winning an IPL trophy and the RCB skipper said that there are many big names in the team which adds the pressure.
Kohli then went on to say that he will never shave because he doesn’t look good without the beard.
Sharing his best memories of cricketing life, Virat said India winning the 2011 World Cup.