A creaking chair and tons of memories

 Virat Kohli went on a nostalgic trip after the Indian skipper found the creaking, old wooden chair that he sat on in the dressing room when he made his international debut against Sri Lanka nine years ago.

Kohli tweeted a picture of himself –flashing victory sign with both hands -- recalling the day here at the Rangiri International Cricket Stadium on the eve of the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Incidentally, Kohli earned his India cap on August 18, 2008 and it was exactly after nine years here on Friday that he visited the same dressing room as India held their first practice session after arriving here.

“It all started on this very chair, this very date and this very ground. 9 years today with the Indian cricket team! So grateful,” Kohli tweeted on Friday. While it was an exciting day for the chubby, churlish 19-year-old, it wasn’t so great when it came to his on-field performance.

“Yeah it’s quite special, when we arrived here yesterday a lot of memories came back,” Kohli reminisced. “It was coincidentally the same chair I sat on nine years ago when I first played for India. So, very happy memories from this place,” he said.

Opening the innings at any level for the first time in his career, Kohli managed a 22-ball 12 before he was trapped in front by Nuwan Kulasekara. India got all out for 146 in 36 overs and Lanka chased down the target in 34.5 overs losing only two wickets.

“First time I ever opened in professional cricket was for India,” he pointed out. “I had never done something like that. Quite adventurous first couple of games for me, but yeah good to remember nine years down the line, same date, same month, same stadium, so it couldn’t have been more special for me. So that’s why I thought the picture had to be put out there,” he offered.