Feroz Shah Kotla stadium holds plenty of fond memories for India's Test captain Virat Kohli. A new one will be added on Wednesday when he steps out as India captain against South Africa in the fourth Test.
Life has taken a full circle for the 27-year-old who had made his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu in 2006-2007 here. He would also be the third Delhi cricketer to lead the national Test side at his home; Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Bishan Singh Bedi being the other two.
“For me, it is a lot of privilege to play in my home town as a Test captain. My start was here – state cricket and Ranji Trophy. So I have a lot of special memories. Tomorrow is a chance to play as a Test captain, I'm very happy,” Kohli said.
The young captain recalled how his career shaped from this ground. “This is the ground where everything fell in place for me. First time I was selected for junior cricket was because of a practice trial match here. All the selectors and administrators were watching and I was able to score some runs and probably catch their eye. That is how I was selected into the team after being rejected the previous year. This is the ground which has literally kickstarted my career as far as state cricket is concerned,” he said.
“I made my Ranji debut for Delhi here so that day remains special as well. I scored a lot of runs here in Ranji Trophy, IPL and ODIs, I have an ODI hundred here so I really like playing here. I like the feel of the ground so that is something that is always there in my mind and I can relate to that.
“It is a ground where I like walking in to bat and like to bat out there in the middle. It is a very special feeling for me personally.”
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