‘Put your best foot forward and results will follow’ – In conversation with Luvnith Sisodia

The Indian Premier League has swiftly risen as a platform for young players to exhibit their abilities against the best in the world. Since the league’s initiation in 2008, it has offered a great platform for youngsters to showcase their talent.

Stashing deals, brushing shoulders with the greatest names in the game and displaying their talent in front of spectators has allowed many cricketers to take full advantage of their procured abilities and show the world who they are.

Royal Challengers Bangalore roped in 22-year-old Luvnith Sisodia and will be taking the field in the franchise spectacle. He is a wicket-keeping batter and can be a major name for RCB’s future considering the team’s preference in saddling young talents.

“Prior to the auction, I had attended selection trials for several teams. In those trials, I believe I put my best foot forward. Obviously, we have no control over what happens during the auction. This is how auction dynamics work. But, somewhere in the back of my mind, I was hoping to be drafted by a team,” said Luvnith on asking him if he was confident on bagging a deal.

“Dreams, they say, do come true. Yes, it does! RCB has always been a favorite of mine. Being from Bengaluru, one can only wish to be a part of this franchise. Growing up, I, like any other youngster in the city, wished to play for this franchise. Here I am – donning this jersey. It is all very surreal. I am grateful,” he added when he was asked what it is like to be part of a team that has been home to big names.

Karnataka have been one of the best domestic sides across competitions and formats in the last few years. The trophy cabinet at KSCA remains as a testament.

It wouldn’t be inappropriate to say Karnataka are the force to be reckoned with in domestic cricket in India. Luvnith Sisodia made his debut for Karnataka on 25 February 2019 in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

“The pride you get playing for Karnataka is unbeatable. Such is the atmosphere around the team. I love how closely knit the teammates are. It feels more like a family. We have always been known to be a team that places a strong emphasis on the pillars of unity, both on and off the field. Every time I wear the Karnataka jersey, it feels like something special,” he said.

Since the IPL is held under different conditions and within the bio-bubble, how difficult is it to adhere to the guidelines? Luvnith said: “To be honest, the atmosphere in the camp is fantastic. You don’t feel like you are in a bubble or far away from home. It feels more like home. When you have this kind of environment, bio-bubble life isn’t too taxing. In my spare time, I enjoy playing PlayStation and watching movies.

RCB have started their practice sessions and match, upon asking him how his first encounter with the other players in the squad was, he said: “The preparation for the tournament has been good. I think I am in a good frame of mind. I also got a half-century in the match simulation.”

“Virat Kohli was the one player I was most excited to meet. I met him yesterday and showed him an old photo of myself with him. We had a good laugh. Overall, I have got along well with all my teammates,” he added.

RCB have shattered many records and scripted history as far as records are concerned. That one game Luvnith would have liked to be a part of was the match against Gujarat Lions back in 2016.

“The one game I wish I could have been a part of was when Virat and AB tormented the Gujarat bowling attack at the Chinnaswamy in 2016. I had the impression that I was watching Ronaldo and Messi play together,” said the prodigy.

The player whom you have always looked up to rather idolized. The 22-year-old said: “Virat Kohli. I have always looked up to him. I admire how he faces the challenges head on. He operates with extraordinary zeal. The way he has grown in stature from 2008 to 2022 should inspire any youngster. I have also enjoyed watching Yuvraj Singh bat in full flow. These are the two players who have had the most influence on me.”

Karnataka’s Luvnith Sisodia, with his 129-ball 312 blinder, rose above those limits, and regardless of whether that came at a corporate one-day tournament, a triple century is as of now not in the domain of implausible. This knock shot him into the spotlight quickly and his exhibition at the recent edition of the BCCI U25 Trophy, where he scored over 230, is proof that the big knock was not a coincidence.

“That day, I didn’t think of any milestones. I appeared to be in good shape. My only thought was to keep batting for as long as possible. That knock sort of put me in the spotlight. To be honest, I had no idea I would be at RCB the following year. Never ever in my wildest dreams.”

He has a place with the profoundly pursued type of cricketers in the realm of maturing franchise-based leagues: A hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batter who can win you games – A blend that is quite rare in cricket.

In days of gruesome competition on asking him about how he is working towards improving his keeping skills as well alongside batting, he said: “To be honest, I devote the same amount of time to both. As we all know, keeping wickets is a difficult job. I practice a lot to get better at it. Besides that, I do a lot of range-hitting to enhance my power-hitting game.”

Luvnith accompanies an attitude for destruction. He is generally ravenous for striking huge strikes; he is known for reverberating strikes, and he knows his work quite well. Likely in a ritzy sky, he will get a modest bunch of chances, yet the sort of expectation that he carries alongside himself can be an outright distinct advantage.

“I am someone who likes to keep it simple. I always believe in the process. Put your best foot forward and the results will follow eventually,” he says.

There is a sense of belief reeking out of the 22-year-old. This Karnataka player can possibly strike big for his IPL franchise as well as in the domestic circuit. One of the upcoming talents to watch out for – Luvnith Sisodia.

Virat Kohli’s journey of fearlessness, debut to 100

It was on June 20, 2011, when Virat Kohli made his debut in the longest format of the game. He made his debut against West Indies at Kingston, Jamaica. The right-handed batter didn’t have a decent show with the bat in his first test as he managed to score only 19 runs in the match.

India ultimately proceeded to win the game by 63 runs. Since his Test debut, Kohli has made a tremendous imprint on the game. He has so far played 99 Tests, managing to score 7962 runs with 27 centuries at an average of 50.39.

Make no question about it. Kohli is an outright superstar, his stock having risen cosmically, where he has dominated his comrades.

A leader was born

MS Dhoni announced his retirement from Test Cricket towards the end of the third Test against Australia. Virat Kohli was given the reigns full-time. He was India’s 32nd Test skipper in history. It was December 2014 when Indian fans were left shocked. Requiring 364 runs for a success in the first test against Australia, Indian fans would have promptly acknowledged a draw on the last day. From the start of 2010 until 2014, India had won just six out of 28 away Tests, losing 15 and drawing seven.

It made them slip in the ICC rankings, and when they arrived Down Under, expectations were low. What followed was dazing. Substitute captain Virat Kohli, assuming control over the job from an injured MS Dhoni, asked his team to go for it and to add more, he led the team from the front, making 141 runs from 175 balls. Nonetheless, as the game developed closer, the Indian team, apparently because of an absence of support, collapsed from 242-2 to 315 all out.

For a long time, having been so acquainted with playing safe, the brave, fearless attitude was somewhat satisfying, yet Kohli was regardless reprimanded for offering a chance to save a Test match overseas.

Virat Kohli has always given prime importance to Test Cricket

One should not neglect, preceding the visit to England back in 2018, Kohli had joined to play a month of county cricket with Surrey. The point behind it was just to become acclimated to English conditions with the red ball and guarantee there was no rehash of 2014.

At last, the spell never occurred because of an awful neck injury endured during the Indian Premier League.

One of cricket’s greatest batters wanting to go through the toil of first-class cricket in another country in the middle of a jam-packed schedule, is as large a lift for red ball cricket as there could be.

The man who made Test Cricket an enthralling experience for spectators

Times of inaction in the stands saw Kohli run towards the fans with his hands raised, encouraging the crowd to make more clamor. Before every ball, he would yell inspirational serenades, enticing the crowd to participate, and each wicket was trailed by an enlivened celebration that ended with him bowing to the crowd, nearly to say much obliged.

Consistently, Kohli supported Test Cricket as far as possible. He didn’t have to do that – he had enough to manage. Yet, under that bursting persona, Kohli was a perfectionist. He just appreciated Test cricket. The clash on the first day in seaming conditions; the strategic fights with spinners on dust bowls; the determined spotlight on endurance when a draw was the most ideal choice.

It turned out in his captaincy. While Virat Kohli was the skipper, every ball was an occasion. You could hear him the whole day grunting ceaselessly, attempting to separate the resistance, and in his vivified celebrations and send-offs.

The one who embraced being uncomfortable to be comfortable on the field

Virat Kohli is known for being perhaps the fiercest contender on the cricket field. Additionally, he has perhaps been the best player in the business across formats. Aside from his batting, Virat Kohli is additionally known for his commitment to fitness.

His aspiration to make his country the best Test team in the world prompted an unfaltering spotlight on prepping up fast bowlers, who have stood tall in their overseas successes, and his passion and priority to fitness has impacted the way India plays Test cricket.

January 2022 Kohli resigned as Test Captain

On 15th January 2022 there was a dull feeling that creeped in. The day Virat Kohli announced his resignation as the Test skipper following seven years, in charge of India’s brilliant period in the longest format of the game. The past seven years appear to be practically otherworldly, with the Indian Test team arriving at its highest statures.

Looking back, however, when we glance back at Kohli’s inheritance, we will understand that it was not simply India who were fortunate to have him. Cricket, yet more explicitly, Test cricket, will be for all time in his obligation.

His legacy as the Test Captain

From No.7, Virat Kohli, who acknowledged to take a gander at the records of the side’s low positioning when he assumed control over the job, has exceptionally taken India to the top, assisting them with overcoming landmasses. With 40 wins in 68 Tests. He additionally assisted the side to a historic Test series with winning in Australia and took the team No.1 position in the ICC Test rankings.

Assuming that we are discussing numbers, Virat Kohli is the fourth-best skipper in the world. He scored runs all over and won many series that India’s losses got more consideration.

Kohli stands apart because he pushed his team to be at their very best consistently on the field. He drove from the front, every time, then, be it physically, or mentally.

His captaincy was an in-your-face attitude to such an extent that even in losing causes, Virat Kohli’s voice was the most intense on the field. His captaincy was enthusiastic to such an extent that it constrained the best teams in the world to commend him for his endeavors.

So here we thank you, Virat. We express our gratitude to you. Test cricket is fit as a fiddle. When a whiz like you thinks often about something so strongly, thus energetically, it has a massive impact, one that inspiringly influences the surrounding. Thank you, for illuminating Test cricket. It’s time now for Kohli, the batter, to become the focal point.

India will be taking on Sri Lanka in the first of the two-match Test series at Mohali on Friday. While the match is relied upon to be an intriguing one as both the teams look uniformly ready, the fans will be anticipating an extraordinary display from Virat Kohli, as he will be playing the 100th Test match of his career.

Yet another day, one more feather to Virat Kohli’s cap as he gears up to wear the white jersey for the 100th time. The 12th Indian player to accomplish this rare landmark. It’s been a long rise where the once stout Delhi kid known for his passion for authoritative batting turned into a champion cricketer.

“Test Cricket needs to stay alive. People need to experience it. This, for me, is real cricket,” said Virat Kohli to BCCI.tv ahead of his milestone Test. He has lived Test Cricket to its ideal. Alongside him, we as a whole did. The fans will be loaded up with pleasure and India with the energy that only Virat Kohli can bring.

It will not be easy to watch him walk behind another player. Because leaders always walk to the front and lead from the front.

Virat Kohli bewitched us into the exciting universe of his art and captivated us to remain stuck, and we, simple humans, dug into his call over and over. A billion hearts thump as one when he strolls out to bat, and he will expect to have the best season in Test cricket yet and lay out his status as a great.