JOIN USTogether they brought home the U-19 World Cup from Kuala Lumpur but Virat Kohli and Siddharth Kaul's careers have moved in entirely different directions in the past five years since that memorable final against South Africa.
It was a balmy Sunday evening in March 2008, when skipper Kohli indulged in wild celebrations, as Kaul's tight final paved the way for India's title triumph.
Cut to March 2013, Kohli entered the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here as Indian cricket's new superstar, and Kaul as one of the net bowlers provided by the local association for helping the stars with a few hits ahead of the second Test against Australia.
Quietly waiting for his turn to bowl at the nets, the stark difference in the manner that Kaul and Kohli's careers have panned out wasn't missing.
While the 23-year-old Kaul is just one among the dozens of performers in the domestic cricket, his once-upon-a-time team mate, Kohli, is the heir apparent to incumbent Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"It happens in life. There will be times when you get your dues late," the soft-spoken lad from Chandigarh told PTI when discussion turned to Kohli's sky-rocketing international career.
It was interesting to follow their body languages during the session today.
Fresh from his century in the first Test at Chennai, Kohli looked in fine touch as he faced the likes of Ashoke Dinda and Ishant Sharma.
On the other hand, Kaul could hardly be recognised in the swarm of net bowlers, although with 43 wickets in Ranji Trophy, he is second only to Ishwar Pandey.
"Kabhi Kabhar, kisi kisi ko time lagta hain par aap koshish karna bandh nahin kar sakte. (Some people take more time to reach a level but that shouldn't deter you from trying hard)," Kaul said.