Driven: The Virat Kohli Story

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Virat Kohli, the undisputed monarch of the cricket world today, is no stranger to loss. His biggest support both on and off the field-his father Prem Kohli- succumbed to a cerebral stroke when Virat was only 18 years old. In a fitting tribute that would have made his father proud, Virat returned to the field to continue an innings just a few hours after his father passed away. In Driven, Vijay Lokapally recounts happier times in the journey of Virat's rapid rise to international stardom-an account punctuated with little-known stories from fellow players, coaches and intimates.

Virat is already the recipient of countless accolades including the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri, India's highest sporting honour-Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna-the title of BCCI's 'International Cricketer of the Year', as well as the ICC's 'ODI Cricketer of the Decade'. But for him, it's not about the fame or the money or the roar of the crowds. Few know of his altruistic nature and his dedication to numerous charities for underprivileged children. What has not escaped the public eye though is how this wizard of the willow wears his heavy mantle with such insouciant ease.

We hardly saw him in Delhi. He was constantly engaged in outstation cricket matches. Then his appearances became few and far between once he announced his prowess at the national level. Virat Kohli is a talent that grew into a phenomenon, on the strength of his self-confidence that had one constant supporter his coach Raj Kumar Sharma.

When Virat was making news in Delhi's local circuit, not much attention was paid to his exploits. I had known Raj Kumar from his playing days and it was through him that my interest in this lad grew. His big scores were a consistent part of the circuit that was hugely competitive, since Virat insisted on playing in the company of seniors.

'You have to see this boy,' Raj Kumar would plead. Of course, the junior cricket circuit was agog with raving talk that centred around this immensely gifted batsman. Gradually, Virat's ability to compile big scores with authority unfolded on the national circuit, and suddenly he was catapulted on to the national stage.

The term 'sport' stands for dedication, persistence, and most importantly passion. It is this passion that inspires a person to persevere in the fruition of their dreams. A sport without passion is the same as a man without a heart. Cricket is one such sport with a legion of impassioned followers. The sport fires up the hearts of the young and the old cricketers alike, and inspires the spectators, who have honoured it with their devoted following. Cricket is the real Indian dream factory. Fortunes are made, stories are written.

One such story is that of Virat Kohli, the man who has become the throbbing heart of this long- lived sport. He began swinging the bat at an early age, and rose through the ranks because of his zeal and unique style of playing the sport.

Vijay Lokapally is the quintessential old fashioned journalist, one who will do his job by being on the ground and not by sitting at a desk and using the phone. He has chosen as his subject a modern player who believes in hard work and has a fitness regime that is hard if not impossible to emulate.

Vijay has taken no shortcuts as he has traced the growth of Virat Kohli from a schoolboy prodigy to the world class player he has become today. It makes for an absorbing read and serves as a handbook for the budding sportsman how hard work and dedication can take a player to the very top.