Virat Kohli was a ‘brat’ like me but the change in his conduct has been remarkable, says Shoaib Akhtar

Veteran pacer Shoaib Akhtar is known for his openness about the criticism and praising of the Indian cricket team, especially the skipper Virat Kohli. Akhtar, unlike most cricket experts, is more vocal and forward about his opinions. This time, on a YouTube show call ‘Cricket Baaz’, the Rawalpindi Express asserted that Virat Kohli used to be a ‘brat’ like him and it was, in fact, the entire system that lent its support to the Indian skipper and helped him transform his brand. Akhtar admitted that he has been a fan of the aforementioned transformation.

“Virat Kohli has reached a whole new level, but who is behind the Kohli brand? In 2010, 2011, Kohli was nowhere to be seen. He was part of the circle; he was a brat like me. All of a sudden, the system supported him. The management went around him. He also realised that there’s a lot of reputation at stake,” Akhtar said on ‘Cricket Baaz’.

The comparisons between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli is something that every cricket fan is aware of. However, Akhtar said it would be unfair on Tendulkar as he played during a much difficult era. But he also backed Kohli stating that he is not at fault for playing in a relatively easier era.

“It’s not his fault that he’s playing in an era of easy cricket, or if Sachin played in a tougher era or Wasim, Waqar and Inzamam have player a much more competitive brand of cricket. So if he’s scoring runs, what we can say about it?” Akhtar said.