Once upon a time there were two boys split by teams but fused by talent and a common adolescent worry about acne. The stage was the Under-19 World Cup at Malaysia in 2008 and the lads in question were Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, who led India and New Zealand respectively, and do that even now.
Back then, just like it is going to happen here on Tuesday, the squads clashed in the semifinal and interestingly Kohli dismissed his counterpart for 37. India won that joust and the subsequent final at South Africa’s expense. Presciently both Kohli and Williamson were marked out for higher glory.
The two were reminded about those good old days while laughter coursed through the press conference hall at Old Trafford here on Monday. First up, Kohli forgot that he had scalped Williamson. “I got Kane’s wicket, did I?,” he asked and then added with a laugh: “I don't know if that can happen again now.”
Later, Williamson’s views were sought and the bearded cricketer, his eyes crinkling and an embarrassed smile stretching his lips, quipped: “Oh dear, tell me how. He used to be an all-rounder I think back in the day, but hasn’t bowled as much recently.”
The two whole-heartedly praised each other while boarding the nostalgia-train heading towards their under-19 days.
