Virat urges youngsters to focus on Test cricket at DDCA's annual conclave

Indian captain Virat Kohli was honoured by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for completing 50 international centuries and for being one of the Delhi skippers in DDCA’s annual conclave on Wednesday. Along with Virat, DDCA also honoured all its skippers right from its very first in Prakash Bhandari to the latest Rishab Pant.

New Delhi: Indian captain Virat Kohli was honoured by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for completing 50 international centuries and for being one of the Delhi skippers in DDCA’s annual conclave on Wednesday. Along with Virat, DDCA also honoured all its skippers right from its very first in Prakash Bhandari to the latest Rishab Pant.

Four generation of Delhi cricketers came together at a glittering function in Kotla on Wednesday evening. This was the first time ever the association opened hall of fame to showcase its stars.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian captain Virat Kohli said, “It’s an honour to stand here among these big names. It’s the dream of theirs that we are carrying today. Hopefully we can carry on with good the work and bring more laurels to the country.”

Virat was handed over the specially designed Delhi cap by former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi.
After touching his feet, Virat said, “It’s dream to be honoured by Bishan sir. From not understanding the importance of fitness and running away from him in Under 15, 16 and 19 cricket only because he made us train too much to training becoming my lifeline now is something that he is really interesting.”

Stressing on the importance of Test cricket, Virat urged the youngsters to set goals of playing the longest format. “Test cricket is paramount. My message to all the youngsters will be to focus on Test cricket, which is the toughest format of the game.”

Apart from Virat, the star cast of Wednesday included former India cricketers Madan Lal, Virender Sehwag, Chetan Chauhan and current Team India fast bowler Ishant Sharma among many.

The Feroz Shah Kotla will now have two stands named after two of Delhi’s stalwarts- Bishen Singh Bedi and Mohinder Amarnath, which were unveiled by the former cricketers themselves.

India’s world cup winning team member Mohinder Amarnath got emotional during the unveiling of the stand named after him. It was an emotional moment for Sharmila Tagore also, the wife of late Tiger Pataudi, who was a former India and Delhi captain. Mrs Pataudi unveiled a hall of fame corridor named after her husband.

“It was in my marriage contract that I should not speak on cricket but had tiger been here today with his mates, he would have been very happy,” said Sharmila.

In another big move, the DDCA named a Kotla gate after former India women’s team captain Anjum Chopra. This is the first instance in world cricket where a gate of an international stadium was named after a woman cricketer.

“Big is a small word that a woman cricketer is being honoured,' said Anjum.