Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan recently shared anecdotes about his relationship with Virat Kohli, revealing moments of camaraderie and conflict. In a recent interview, Dhawan opened up about a few instances where tempers flared between the two cricketers, despite their strong bond.
Dhawan recounted a light-hearted incident during a warm-up session where a playful football match turned competitive. "Virat and I fought once," Dhawan said, recalling how they shoulder-tackled each other. "We shoulder-tackled each other once while playing football during a warm-up session. For a second, we got angry," he admitted. He noted that these incidents led to the team eventually stopping football warm-ups to avoid fights and potential injuries. "Slowly, we stopped playing football in warm-ups because people would fight," Dhawan explained. "It happens, there are so many athletes, aggressive, each one is big in his own right…".
Dhawan also recalled a specific instance during a tour in South Africa when he was run out due to Kohli's call for a quick single. "I was in South Africa, Virat ran me out. At that time, I got very angry," Dhawan stated. The frustration from the run-out was compounded by Dhawan's dissatisfaction with his Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. "My auction, too, hadn't gone well. I wasn't able to accept that as well," he said. "So, that was there, and then this (run out) happened. I abused a lot…". He clarified that his outburst wasn't directed at Kohli but was a general venting of frustration in the dressing room. "He (Kohli) was in the middle, I was venting out in the dressing room — not at him, but like how batsmen usually would," Dhawan explained. Despite the anger in the moment, Dhawan emphasized the understanding and respect between him and Kohli. "But we have our understanding because we know it isn't intentional. This happens in cricket," he added.
In December 2014, reports emerged of a fallout between Dhawan and Kohli during the Brisbane Test against Australia. The incident reportedly stemmed from Dhawan injuring his elbow during a practice session and informing the team just before the start of play. This resulted in Kohli having to open the batting unexpectedly. Kohli was reportedly upset about the change and lashed out at Dhawan after getting dismissed cheaply. The situation escalated when Dhawan responded, asserting his commitment to playing for the country and dismissing any suggestion that he would feign an injury. Team director Ravi Shastri reportedly intervened to calm the situation.
Dhawan has known Kohli since their junior cricket days. He remembers Kohli as a slightly soft-spoken 16-17 year old who was very focused on food but displayed a clear vision for his game and a hunger for success on the field. Dhawan noted the passing of Kohli's father as a turning point, intensifying Kohli's dedication to the game. "Unfortunately, when his father passed away, his zeal was already there, but his seriousness increased even more," Dhawan said.
Despite the occasional disagreements and heated moments, Dhawan and Kohli have maintained a strong bond built on mutual respect and understanding.
