Surprise and laughter—that is how India captain Virat Kohli and his New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson reacted when they were asked about their Under-19 World Cup semifinal clash in Malaysia, 11 years ago.
The memory of that semifinal clash, with both leading their respective sides, was so hazy that their memory had to be jogged during the pre-match press conference. The India skipper said, “I think it's a really nice memory and we'll both feel good knowing that this is happening and no one, neither me nor him, could have ever anticipated that one day this (meeting again in a semifinal clash of senior men’s World Cup) will happen. But yeah, it is a really nice thing.”
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But what astounded Kohli most was when he was told that he had dismissed Williamson in that U-19 World Cup semifinal. “I got Kane's wicket? Did I? (Laughter). I don't know if that can happen again now (laughter)!”
Kohli and Williamson, 11 years later, have gone on to become the premier batsmen of this generation. Asked what he thought of Williamson when he saw him then, Kohli was profuse in his praise. “It's not even 2008. I remember, in 2007, we went to New Zealand and we were playing an U-19 Test match and he played a shot off one of our fast bowlers, who was quick, off the back foot.
“I remember standing in slips and telling another guy, 'I have never seen anyone play a shot like that' and that he was special.”
Williamson—though he didn't remember much about the meeting 11 years ago—found the memory “cool”.
“I actually hadn't thought about that at all, so I guess that's kind of cool, isn't it, that a few years later, we're here again, perhaps on a slightly different stage. But pretty special and a lot of respects to being able to lead your country out in a semifinal on the biggest stage.”
Talking about Kohli, he said. “He was a formidable player, growing up -- that seems odd to say because we were at the same age playing against each other on a number of occasions and then to go into international cricket at a youngish age, then IPL and these different sorts of things. So, it's obviously been a pleasure watching Virat play and evolve into the superstar that he is.”
When reminded about Kohli dismissing him, Williamson said, “Oh dear! Tell me how? (Laughter). He used to be an all-rounder I think back in the day, but hasn't bowled as much recently….”
Kohli, on the other hand, hasn't forgotten his 'prized wicket'. “No, not at all. Actually, I'll remind Kane when we meet tomorrow. I'm sure he remembers!”