Virat Kohli, the new poster boy of Indian cricket says Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar was the reason behind him playing cricket. According to a report in The Tribune, at a felicitation function organised by industrialist and IPL team Mumbai Indians' owner Mukesh Ambani, Kohli was asked to give his thoughts on the 39-year-old, who completed the incredible feat during the recent Asia Cup in Bangladesh and he said, "Sachin Tendulkar is the reason I started playing."
The 23-year-old right-hander, who is in the form of his life having scored three hundreds in his past four one-dayers, said as a child he only dreamed of catching a glimpse of Tendulkar in person. "Like me I think most of the youngsters in the India started playing cricket because of him," Virat said as Tendulkar looked back at him smiling.
"Now it is just a great honour to share the same dressing room with him. I remember when I was small, my only dream was to see him in real life and to play with him now is just a great honour for me. I couldn't have asked for anything more," he added, according to newspaper reports.
Meanwhile, Sachin on his part made a prediction that either Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma will break his record of 100 international centuries. According to a report in Indian Express, Sachin Tendulkar made his prediction after actor Salman Khan lobbed a question during the function. "Kya lagta hai aapko? seedhe seedhe bolo nahi tod payega (what do you think of this, ok say that no one can do it)," the Bollywood star said.
Unable to control his laughter, Tendulkar rose from his front-row chair and said, "I think those who can, are sitting in this room only. I can see those youngsters. Virat and Rohit are the ones. As long as an Indian breaks it, I don't mind," said Tendulkar, drawing a round of applause from the celebrity guests.