Virat Kohli’s childhood coach breaks silence on arrogance claims ahead of IPL 20
Virat Kohli‘s Childhood Coach Defends Him Against Arrogance Claims
Cricket coach Rajkumar Sharma has defended Virat Kohli against the perception that he is arrogant, sharing insights into the cricketer’s personality and saying that people who know him closely understand how humble, respectful, and grounded he remains despite his success in professional cricket.
Rajkumar Sharma’s Comments
Rajkumar has worked with Kohli since his childhood and has closely followed his journey from a young cricketer to one of the biggest stars in world cricket. The comments come after another impressive IPL season for Kohli, who played a key role with the bat and helped guide his team into the IPL 2026 final.
Speaking to RevSportz, Rajkumar Sharma said that many people misunderstand Virat Kohli’s aggressive on-field behavior and mistake it for arrogance. The veteran coach insisted that Kohli has a humble nature and shows respect to people around him.
‘Virat is a very modest guy. People used to mistake him for being arrogant, but everyone who knows him closely knows how humble and respectful he is. For me, he is still like a child,’ Rajkumar said.
Kohli’s Image and Personality
Kohli’s image is often shaped by his intense celebrations, animated reactions, and willingness to engage in on-field battles. Unlike many Indian cricketers who preferred a quieter approach, Kohli has always embraced a more aggressive style and uses that energy to motivate himself.
Rajkumar Sharma recalled a conversation with former India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad about his close bond with Virat Kohli. Sharma said that Gaekwad was amazed by the strong relationship they share and the way they have remained connected throughout Kohli’s career.
‘I remember Anshuman Gaekwad ji, who was like an elder brother to me. He used to say, ‘I have seen Indian cricket closely. I played for India, coached the Indian team, and witnessed everything. But I have never seen a relationship like yours and Virat’s.’ ‘You do not miss a single ball he plays anywhere in the world, and he speaks to you as soon as the match ends.’ He often said that he had never seen such a bond, especially with a player who has reached the highest level of world cricket.’
Rajkumar Sharma’s Pride
Rajkumar Sharma said that he feels proud of Virat Kohli’s personality despite achieving enormous success in world cricket. The veteran coach said that their relationship has remained unchanged since the batter first joined his academy as a young boy.
‘Virat has such a wonderful nature and is incredibly respectful. Even today, he remains very affectionate towards me. I feel proud that he is my trainee.’
Kohli’s IPL Performance
Virat Kohli enjoyed another outstanding IPL season in 2026, scoring 600 runs in 15 innings at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 164.38, including four half-centuries and an unbeaten century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
