Virat Kohli is still the same as he was at 10: Coach Rajkumar Sharma

For Rajkumar Sharma, a coach is no different from a parent and that's why he has been 'protective' about Virat Kohli, keeping a close watch on the progress of his 'son' during his formative years

New Delhi: For Rajkumar Sharma, a coach is no different from a parent and that's why he has been 'protective' about Virat Kohli, keeping a close watch on the progress of his 'son' during his formative years.

Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma

Sharma, who will be conferred with the prestigious Dronacharya award, has been the Indian Test captain's coach since he was 10 years old.

"It's a huge honour which increases your responsibility to produce not one but many more Virats. I still remember the day when a 10-year-old Virat came to my coaching camp.

Today as an Indian captain when he comes for a net session, I don't find any difference. He is still the same old little Virat for me. Nothing has changed for him," the 51-year-old former first-class cricketer told PTI yesterday.

The 51-year-old's name has been sent to the Dronacharya awards committee on a number of occasions but he only got lucky this time.

"When Virat got the Arjuna Award in 2013, I was there at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and he told me then next time I would be receiving Dronacharya and he would be applauding from the audience.

"Wish Virat did not have international commitments (he will be on his flight back from the US) and he would be have been there at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 29," said Sharma.

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