Virat Kohli will be going back to where it all started, Dambulla. The very cricket stadium where the Indian skipper made his debut 8 years ago. Kohli has come a long way from being India’s rising star to a legend in making. He came here as a youngster aspiring to make a name for himself to an established cricketer leading the pack. The BCCI posted on their Twitter account with the caption reading, “Few things never change – only the legend grows. #ThisDayThatYear In 2008, @imVkohli sat on this very chair during his debut game #SLvIND”. Kohli too later tweeted the photo with monochrome effect.
Kohli looks happy to be back at Dambulla dressing room sitting in the same chair he did in his debut ODI. He is gesturing the victory sign sitting beside his kit bag.
Kohli recently made history as he whitewashed Sri Lanka in their home conditions by winning the Test series by 3-0. He also registered his 8th Test series win on the trot which is the most by any Indian skipper and just one behind the record.
What happened 8 years ago?
Kohli made his debut for India in ODIs which did not go down well with the visitors. Kohli opened the innings alongside opener Gautam Gambhir. He was under immense pressure batting first as Gambhir got out for a duck. Kohli too could not make a mark in his debut as he got out for 12 getting leg-before-wicket to Nuwan Kulasekara.
Few things never change – only the legend grows. #ThisDayThatYear In 2008, @imVkohli sat on this very chair during his debut game #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/0LCwQKZQ1i
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 18, 2017
It all started on this very chair, this very date and this very ground. 9 years today with the Indian cricket team! So grateful. @BCCI pic.twitter.com/23vEL1tO3K
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 18, 2017
Team India could not recover from a faulty start as they bundled out for 146 with four overs to spare. The lowly total was chased down easily by Sri Lanka with 8 wickets in hand and 91 balls to go.
It was @imVkohli vs @msdhoni vs @klrahul11 at the football today. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/mEc6iWiES7
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 18, 2017
But now things have changed as the legends of Sri Lankan team Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan have retired. The current Sri Lanka side is struggling and a rebuilding phase. Though they were able to beat India in the group stages of ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
Kohli will be looking to make amends for CT 2017 defeat and start the ODI series with a win at his debut ground, Dambulla.
