Virat Kohli to Wrestle Rohit Sharma on a New Pitch
Virat Kohli, India's Test captain, followed teammate Rohit Sharma in owning a team in Pro Wrestling League. While Rohit is the co-owner of UP Warriors, Kohli has bought stakes in Bengaluru Yodhas
- Abhishek Paul
- Updated: December 11, 2015 10:57 AM IST
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may be trusted allies on the cricket field, but off it they are not shy of testing their strength against each other. This time, the India Test captain has chosen the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) to prove a point or two to his teammate. (Cricket Fan Gareth Bale Backs Virat Kohli's Social Networking Venture)
A day after Rohit Sharma was announced as the co-owner of PWL team Uttar Pradesh Warriors, Kohli was unveiled as a stakeholder of another franchise Bengaluru Yodhas. The two cricket superstars are the new big names in a league, which also has actor Dharmendra as the co-owner of Punjab Royals. (Rohit Sharma to Co-Own Pro-Wrestling League Team Uttar Pradesh Warriors)
The six-city based PWL will commence at New Delhi's K.D. Jadhav Stadium on Thursday. The semi-finals will be held on December 25 and 26, with the final on December 27. (Has Rohit Sharma Played his Last Test?)
And as luck would have it, Kohli's Bengaluru Yodhas will take on Rohit's Uttar Pradesh Warriors in their first match on Friday. (Virat Kohli Now a Co-Owner of a Tennis Team That Also has Roger Federer)
Bangalore, Kohli's Sporting Home
Kohli, who recently guided India to a fantastic 3-0 Test series win over South Africa, said he did not think twice when he was approached to co-own Bengauluru Yodhas.
"I was thrilled on hearing about the Pro Wrestling League and Bengaluru Yodhas. I am no stranger to the city of Bangalore and it is wonderful that I can extend my association by way of the Yodhas," he said.
Kohli's team, which is co-owned by Jindal Steel Works, is captained by Narsingh Yadav, India's lone medallist at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in 74 kg category. Giving Narsingh company are Sandeep Tomar, Bajrang Punia, Ukraine's Pavlo Oliiynik and Georgia's Davit Modzmanashvili in the men's section.
Five-time World Championship medallist Yuliya Ratkevich of Azerbaijan is the Yodhas' star in the women's draw. She is joined by USA's Alyssa Lampe, India's Lalita Sehrawat and Navjot Kaur.
© NDTV
Third Team as a Co-owner
The PWL will be Kohli's third business venture in professional leagues after Indian Super League's FC Goa and International Premier Tennis League's (IPTL) UAE Royals. While FC Goa have the legendary Zico as its marquee coach, the UAE Royals have Roger Federer as its top draw. Captain Kohli surely knows how to make a statement!
On a high after the South Africa Test series win, investing in a new business venture might be Kohli's way of celebrating his success. The 23-year-old Kohli has also started a social networking start-up venture 'Sport Convo', which was appreciated by Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
On the field too Kohli, who has 6831 ODI runs and 2994 ODI runs to his name, is currently enjoying all the adulation as well as challenges as India captain.
"When a team keeps winning, confidence automatically grows. Captaincy is not an easy job as you do have challenging situations. You have to maintain your focus, wait for that half chance, as too many changes send wrong message, you need to stay focused.
"I have enjoyed it (captaincy). I relish making plans with bowlers, as when it comes off, that particular feeling is hard to explain. I like the fact that I am always involved in things, active, it fits me perfectly," he said.
© BCCI
Rohit's cricket has hit a sticky wicket
Unlike Kohli however, Rohit Sharma is not going through a purple patch. In the recently concluded Test Series, he could total only 26 in Two Tests. His question in the Test team has also come under question.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Rohit Sharma should go back to Ranji Trophy to get back his confidence in the longer format.
"After failing in Delhi Test, Rohit's position in team will be in line. But who will replace him? I feel Rohit should start playing in Ranji Trophy to get back to form in the longer format," Gavaskar told NDTV.
Though currently going through contrasting phases, both Rohit and Kohli would hope to get the better of each other on the wrestling mat.