4 Indian cricketers who owe their careers to Virat Kohli

2012 and 2017- ICC Player of the year, the 2013 Arjuna award, 2017 Padma Shri and Khel Ratna winner, Virat Kohli, is regarded by many as the best batsman of this current age.

He recently triumphed Sachin Tendulkar's record to become the fastest cricketer to the 10000-run milestone in ODI cricket, while also becoming the first Indian to score three back-to-back centuries in one-day cricket.

He was made India's Test skipper in 2014, replacing MS Dhoni in the shortest format of the game, he later took over as limited-overs captain in early 2017. He has so far a splendid record in Test cricket, having won 24, lost nine and drawn nine in 42 matches.

With 38 wins in 49 matches at a winning percentage of 77.55, Kohli has equally remarkable numbers in ODI cricket. He is known for his aggressive nature both as a player and as a captain. He leads from the front and keeps his team on to the toes throughout.

In this reign so far, he has groomed a lot of players and got best out of them. These cricketers grew during his captaincy and are currently part of the team. All of them are expected to make it to India's World Cup squad.

Let's see who are the four-star players who might owe their career to Kohli:

---

#1 KL Rahul

Kohli backed Rahul throughout the English summer

Bangalore born cricketer, KL Rahul, has been quite a regular for India in all the three formats of the game. However, he has been lately struggling to find a place in white-ball cricket due to consistent performances from openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

He could soon be tried in the middle order, though, as India hasn't been up to the mark in that area. Rahul, 26, made his Test debut in 2014 and appeared for India in limited-overs in 2016. He failed to prove himself hence kept going in and out of the side in the next few months.

Yet, once Kohli took the charge, Rahul got a lot of opportunities and made sure to make most of them. In the England Test series earlier this year, Kohli continued with him despite poor shows in the first four matches. Ultimately, Rahul proved himself by scoring a massive century in the final game.

#2 Hardik Pandya

Pandya is an integral part of India's LOI unit today

The Baroda-based all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, has cemented his place in the side in almost all the formats but is currently out of the team after sustaining an injury in Asia Cup 2018. He hasn't recovered yet and a few days back, Kohli was quoted saying that it's hard to find balance in the team without the all-rounder.

Pandya made his international debut in 2016 but improved his game under Kohli's leadership. he has played in 42 ODI, 11 Test matches, scoring 670 and 530 runs respectively. He also as 40 ODI and 17 Test scalps to his name.

There is no denying that Pandya initiated his career under Dhoni and played impressively even then. However, played most of the matches under Kohli. The trust exuded in him by the latter infused him with confidence, which thereby helped him soak the pressure and excel in tough conditions.

Kohli recently drafted him into the Test team for England and persisted with him despite a few downcast shows in the beginning. He later scalped his maiden fifer in the tourney.

#3 Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has been a regular in India's white-ball set-up

The leggie, Yuzvendra Chahal, is right now one of the regulars playing for India in limited overs cricket. He has been consistently impressing one and all with his bowling.

He has taken 56 wickets in 33 matches at a good economy of 4.75. He also has 42 T20I wickets in 26 matches, including two four-wicket hauls and a fifer.

Kohli motivated the youngster and believed Chahal's abilities in the early phase of his career, which has made him an entirely different bowler today.

#4 Kuldeep Yadav

Yadav is the X-factor of India's bowling attack today

Another spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, too proved himself under Kohli as he backed him and gave him the freedom to bowl his way in the crucial overs of a game.

It was never easy to replace bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin. However, Yadav held his nerves in important fixtures and was encouraged completely by his skipper.

He recently emerged as second fastest Indian to take 50 ODI wickets and is likely to be India's lead spinner in the World Cup 2019.