When you get fame and power... have seen Virat Kohli change a lot: Amit Mishra

Former India legspinner Amit Mishra said Virat Kohli changed a lot after becoming a successful cricketer, while Rohit Sharma has remained the same from day one. The 41-year-old, who last played for India in February 2017, said there’s a reason why Kohli doesn’t have too many friends. 

“As a cricketer, I respect him a lot, but I don’t share the same equation with him as I used to. Why does Virat have less friends? His and Rohit’s natures are different. I’ll tell you the best thing about Rohit. When I met him the first day and when I meet him today, he is the same person. So will you relate to him more or with someone who changes according to situation?,” Mishra said in YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra’s show ‘Unplugged’.

“I haven’t been part of the Indian team in years. Still when I meet Rohit during the IPL or any other event, he is always joking with me. I don’t need to think what he will think. We joke with each other. He is at the top but we still have maintained that rapport.

"I have seen Virat change a lot. We had almost stopped talking. When you get fame and power, some people think that others are reaching out to them only for a purpose. I have known Cheeku since the time he was 14, when he used to eat samosas, when he needed pizza every night. But there is a huge difference in Cheeku I knew and Virat Kohli, the captain.”

Mishra, who is currently with Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League, also spoke about the infamous clash between Kohli and former LSG mentor and India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir. The fight happened during the 2023 season but the two men were seen hugging each other during the next season. 

“I saw a good thing about Gautam. Virat Kohli didn’t go towards him, Gautam went towards him. He went and asked ‘How are you, how’s your family.’ So it was Gautam who ended the feud and not Kohli. So Gautam showed his big heart at that time. It should have been Kohli who should have gone and ended the feud. He should have gone and said ‘Gauti bhai, let’s end this,’.”

Mishra is also not in favour of Shubman Gill captaining India. The young opener recently led India to a 4-1 T20I series victory over Zimbabwe but Mishra said Gill has “no idea about captaincy.” 

“I don't think he should be made captain. I have seen him in the IPL, and he doesn't know how to lead. He has no idea about captaincy. And before this, he hasn't captained much. Why was he made the captain then? You'd have to ask those who made the decision.”

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