Mumbai Indians’ star spinner Piyush Chawla has recently opened up about his longstanding friendship with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli. In an interview with Shubman Gaur, Chawla reminisced about their shared history dating back to their under-19 days and took what seemed to be an indirect dig at Amit Mishra.
Chawla’s comments come in the wake of recent remarks by Amit Mishra, who suggested that Kohli has changed over the years, attributing this to his rise in fame and power. Mishra claimed that Kohli had become distant, stating, “I have seen Virat change a lot. We had almost stopped talking. When you get fame and power, they think people are reaching out to them for a purpose. I was never one of those. I have known Cheeku since the time he was 14, when he used to eat Samosas, and when he needed Pizza every night.”
However, Chawla presented a contrasting view, expressing that Kohli remains the same person he knew a decade ago. “Virat Kohli is still the same as he was 10-15 years before. My experience with him is always good, and I share great camaraderie,” Chawla said.
The spinner also shared a light-hearted anecdote to illustrate their enduring bond. Recalling a recent interaction during the Asia Cup, Chawla narrated, “During the Asia Cup, he was fielding at the boundary ropes, while I was there for a commentary stint. So, he came to me and said, ‘PC, Let’s order something to eat.’ So, he has the same conversations with us that we used to have 10-15 years ago.”
Chawla’s remarks seem to challenge Mishra’s narrative, highlighting that Kohli, despite his global fame, has maintained his down-to-earth nature and strong friendships within the cricketing fraternity.
Virat Kohli, who recently returned to London after the Sri Lanka series, is set to be back in action during the upcoming Bangladesh series in September. The cricket world remains divided on whether Kohli has changed over the years, but Chawla’s words offer a fresh perspective on the man who continues to be one of cricket’s most celebrated figures.
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