Virat Kohli has never changed, I can call him anytime: Ishant Sharma | Exclusive

India pacer Ishant Sharma is known for his close connection with Virat Kohli. The duo share a very close bond and have shared a lot of moments together in the 22 yards.

Kohli has been a stalwart of the game while Ishant Sharma is one of the two pace bowlers in India's history to have played 100 Test matches. The two Delhi boys have grown together and Ishant opined on a certain allegation on Virat Kohli, that the India star has changed a lot from his early days.

Ishant Sharma took part in a training programme conducted by Steffan Jones at the Invictus Lab in Bengaluru for a few days. The player trained for three days at the centre and on his final day, he sat for an exclusive chat with MyKhel.

When asked if Virat Kohli has changed at present from where he started, Ishant is fast to turn down the thoughts. He says that Kohli has always been like a brother to him and they call each other at any time.

"I don't know whoever said that he [Virat Kohli] has changed. But with me, the kind of relationship we share, he never changed for me. We've been playing together since U-17, so, you know, we are 36 now, I think he'll be 36 soon. So, we've been playing together for, I don't know, for even, you know, more than 10 years, 15 years. So, he hasn't changed for me. I can pick up my phone, call him anytime, he calls me anytime."

Ishant then addresses the claims a former player made recently, who said that the India batter has changed drastically. But the Indian pacer feels as a captain, a player has to think about all the squad members. And he also thinks Kohli must be seen as an individual.

"I think, obviously if you're a captain, there are certain responsibilities that come. You don't have to see him as a captain, you have to see him as an individual. So, if he's a captain, he has to look after 15 players. So, he can't only focus on one player who's not playing. So, I think maybe that's why people have mistaken him that he has changed," Ishant adds.

There was a beautiful moment between Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli in the IPL 2024. The two players seemingly collided on the pitch but it was all done in a very light mood. And Ishant says communication is the most important thing, which he used to have during his playing days with Kohli as the captain.

"When he was captain, whenever I was not playing, I could go to his room and talk about why I'm not playing, even why I'm playing, we strategized. So, I think it's all about communication. I had a very good communication level with him because I know that he's my friend at the same time, you know, been playing for so long. So, he hasn't changed for me."