From colts to senior cricket, Virat Kohli and Siddharth Kaul's paths diverge

[rkt.india]

Together they brought home the U-19 World Cup from Kuala Lumpur but Virat Kohli and Siddharth Kaul's careers have moved in entirely different directions in the past five years since that memorable final against South Africa. It was a balmy Sunday evening in March 2008, when skipper Kohli indulged in wild celebrations, as Kaul's tight final paved the way for India's title triumph. Cut to March 2013, Kohli entered the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here as Indian cricket's new superstar, and Kaul as one of the net bowlers provided by the local association for helping the stars with a few hits ahead of the second Test against Australia. Quietly waiting for his turn to bowl at the nets, the stark difference in the manner that Kaul and Kohli's careers have panned out wasn't missing. While the 23-year-old Kaul is just one among the dozens of performers in the domestic cricket, his once-upon-a-time team mate, Kohli, is the heir apparent to incumbent Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "It happens in life. There will be times when you get your dues late," the soft-spoken lad from Chandigarh said when discussion turned to Kohli's sky-rocketing international career. It was interesting to follow their body languages during the session today. Fresh from his century in the first Test at Chennai, Kohli looked in fine touch as he faced the likes of Ashoke Dinda and Ishant Sharma. On the other hand, Kaul could hardly be recognised in the swarm of net bowlers, although with 43 wickets in Ranji Trophy, he is second only to Ishwar Pandey. "Kabhi Kabhar, kisi kisi ko time lagta hain par aap koshish karna bandh nahin kar sakte. (Some people take more time to reach a level but that shouldn't deter you from trying hard)," Kaul said. It wasn't difficult to gauge his disappointment as he didn't even get to bowl to top players like Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni and Virender Sehwag; not even to Kohli. Kaul only bowled to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ishwar Pandey, in that sense, was fortunate enough. While Kohli will tell you how he would like to tackle the reverse swing of James Pattinson, Kaul, at best, can call it a "good exposure" for him. "Obviously, it is a nice experience to bowl at the Indian nets as there are so many quality players," his answer was as predictable as India going into a Test match here with three spinners. Did he get any tips from the likes of Dhoni and Sehwag on how to improve in certain areas, he said, "They are busy with the Test match and I will be going back tomorrow." A similar thought crept in while watching UP pacer Imtiyaz Ahmed at the nets. In November last year, Ahmed had decimated a Delhi batting line-up that comprised Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Mithun Manhas. Bhuvneshwar did precious little in that match. Today, at the nets, Ahmed was finding it difficult to even walk up confidently towards his state-mate to strike up a conversation as he was sitting alongside some of the senior India players.

- See more at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/from-colts-to-senior-cricket-virat-kohli-and-siddharth-kauls-paths-diverge/1081846/2#sthash.R43xSBxM.dpuf-

[rkt.india]

What is the purpose of having net bowlers when they do not even get to bowl to top order batsmen?

[Lord]

atleast Kaul is doing well n in contention to play soon.Sangwan n Argal who were stars of that WC are completely lost:sad:

[saneindian]

Is this the way the national side treats the fringe players? Shocking to read Blame goes to the useless team management. Hopefully these young players got a decent treatment from the host association.

[rkt.india]

atleast Kaul is doing well n in contention to play soon.Sangwan n Argal who were stars of that WC are completely lost:sad:

It is all about improvement. Argal was always going to an ordinary bowler because his lack of pace. Sangwan got lost in the glamor and fame he got, but he understood it and is now back to make the most of the chances in FC cricket though is still far from away. Kaul despite struggling with injuries has shown improvement. He can really be a good bowler in time if he continues to improve and work on his control.

[Lord]

It is all about improvement. Argal was always going to an ordinary bowler because his lack of pace. Sangwan got lost in the glamor and fame he got' date=' but he understood it and is now back to make the most of the chances in FC cricket though is still far from away. Kaul despite struggling with injuries has shown improvement. He can really be a good bowler in time if he continues to improve and work on his control.[/quote'] yeah I'm not blaming anybody else,just dissapointed by how things panned out Kaul was similar pace to Argal in U19WC but now hes much faster,Argal hasnt got any faster. Kaul is a bright prospect from what I saw.can bowl reverse swinging yorkers consistently which is rare for Indian bowlers.

[rkt.india]

yeah I'm not blaming anybody else,just dissapointed by how things panned out Kaul was similar pace to Argal in U19WC but now hes much faster,Argal hasnt got any faster. Kaul is a bright prospect from what I saw.can bowl reverse swinging yorkers consistently which is rare for Indian bowlers.

Kaul was far quicker than Argal. Argal looked 115-120. Kaul looked 125-130 and that too about 2 years younger than Argal.

[rkt.india]

Sangwan in that U19 WC. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WT3itRZprc]*Lost Talent* - Pradeep Sangwan 5/44 - India U19 v South Africa U19 2008 World Cup - YouTube[/ame]

[rkt.india]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRuKA9uhZpQ]U19 World Cup Semi Final New Zealand vs India Wickets NZ - YouTube[/ame]

[G_B_]

Is this the way the national side treats the fringe players? Shocking to read Blame goes to the useless team management. Hopefully these young players got a decent treatment from the host association.

and what exactly is shocking about that? The main players need to concentrate on their own game. The fact is that the main ranji season is over and he is brought in to provide practice to the batsman. He has played 12 first class matches and is 23 years old. Kohli is a rarity in Indian cricket to be established at such a young age. Kaul is part of the IPL which means he gets about $65,000 from what i know and plus the ranji pay has now drastically improved. Its not as if he is on the breadline.

[rkt.india]

and what exactly is shocking about that? The main players need to concentrate on their own game. The fact is that the main ranji season is over and he is brought in to provide practice to the batsman. He has played 12 first class matches and is 23 years old. Kohli is a rarity in Indian cricket to be established at such a young age. Kaul is part of the IPL which means he gets about $65,000 from what i know and plus the ranji pay has now drastically improved. Its not as if he is on the breadline.

Problem is not just that. He was called to bowl at the nets but he does not bowl to a single top order batsman.

[G_B_]

Problem is not just that. He was called to bowl at the nets but he does not bowl to a single top order batsman.

and why should he? is he paying for the trip to the stadium probably no. He is there to provide any assistance. Simple. Thats his duty. Thats why the BCCI pays his wages. When England came to Mumbai the likes of Kulkarni did the same thing by bowling to the Indian tailenders and was happy to do it and i do know for a fact Kulkarni is making close to $100,000 a year with the ipl and ranji and has been doing so for the past 2-3 years. $100,000 is a good sum of money in india. Enough of this bleeding heart mentality. Even ranji cricketers now a days earn much more than average Indian and its a sort of sport that allows you to study on the side if you end up just end up in the domestics. The fact is Kaul has been playing the IPL (since 2008)now for a few years which guarantees him a good income. He has just broken into the punjab ranji team and has had a good season. He is 23 and there is a good chance he might break through to the India A level. Its not as if his career is over.

[rkt.india]

and why should he? is he paying for the trip to the stadium probably no. He is there to provide any assistance. Simple. Thats his duty. Thats why the BCCI pays his wages. When England came to Mumbai the likes of Kulkarni did the same thing by bowling to the Indian tailenders and was happy to do it and i do know for a fact Kulkarni is making close to $100,000 a year with the ipl and ranji and has been doing so for the past 2-3 years. $100,000 is a good sum of money in india. Enough of this bleeding heart mentality. Even ranji cricketers now a days earn much more than average Indian and its a sort of sport that allows you to study on the side if you end up just end up in the domestics. The fact is Kaul has been playing the IPL (since 2008)now for a few years which guarantees him a good income. He has just broken into the punjab ranji team and has had a good season. He is 23 and there is a good chance he might break through to the India A level. Its not as if his career is over.

It is not about money or what they are earning.

[G_B_]

even if its not. He has been given a job and he should do it. also, i dont get why these guys are over awed by the indian national team cricketers. The problem lay with you if you dont go and introduce yourself. Be bold and put yourself out there and talk to the likes of Sachin. He has never been known to refuse any tips. Being bold is not just for young aspiring cricketers. It applies to all walks of life. If your shy then the problem is at your end. I got a promotion recently by being bold and actually having the guts to talk to the a guy who is 5-6 ranks above me. We got talking and i left a good impression in his mind.(i assume since i got the promotion)

[PBN]

Well it's a bummer that he couldn't bowl to the top Indian batsmen. Kaul should keep his chin up and keep on working hard. It is a lot easier to break into the Indian team as a bowler. Another good season and he'll be in the selector's radar for sure.

[G_B_]

Well it's a bummer that he couldn't bowl to the top Indian batsmen. Kaul should keep his chin up and keep on working hard. It is a lot easier to break into the Indian team as a bowler. Another good season and he'll be in the selector's radar for sure.

exactly he has had one good ranji season. If he follows it with 2 more then i am sure he will get into india A at the very least.

[tweaker]

is it because he is a fast bowler

[Dumbbells]

Just peform in IPL dude. U will see the difference. Our cricket tradition is like our society.

[putrevus]

If he was any good and improved he would have been bowling to main batsmen.It is not like he was bowling like what Wasim Akram did when he was called in as net bowler.If he did others would have called on to face his bowling. I can guarantee that if he is any good he will be in playing for India.The quickest way to wear team India jersey is fast bowling.

[Sidhoni]

yeah I'm not blaming anybody else,just dissapointed by how things panned out Kaul was similar pace to Argal in U19WC but now hes much faster,Argal hasnt got any faster. Kaul is a bright prospect from what I saw.can bowl reverse swinging yorkers consistently which is rare for Indian bowlers.

Yeah. Being from Bhopal, I have seen a lot of Argal and his coaches would always talk about how he will gather more pace as he grows. But that hasn't happened unfortunately.