Virat Kohli Honors His Roots with New Academy Inauguration

Virat Kohli, the cricketing icon, recently inaugurated a new branch of the West Delhi Academy at his former school, honoring his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma. This gesture came after a significant IPL victory for RCB. During the event, Kohli delivered an inspiring speech to students, sharing insights from his journey and emphasizing the importance of dedication and respect for education. Rajkumar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to nurture future talents at the academy. This event highlights Kohli's commitment to his roots and his desire to inspire the next generation of cricketers.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 16:38 IST

Kohli's Gesture for His Childhood Coach

Virat Kohli, recognized as one of cricket's all-time greats, has not lost sight of his beginnings. Following a remarkable victory where the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kohli made a heartfelt gesture for his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma. He inaugurated a new branch of the West Delhi Academy at Delhi Public School (DPS) RK Puram, the very institution where he began his cricket journey, which is managed by Rajkumar. The inauguration took place on Tuesday morning, April 28, and was attended by Kohli and Rohan Jaitley, the chief of the Delhi and District Cricket Academy (DDCA). Kohli's commitment to his coach was praised, especially given the demanding IPL schedule, as RCB was set to play against Gujarat Titans (GT) just two days later.

Inspiring Words from Kohli

Virat Kohli Gives Inspirational Speech

Kohli also took the opportunity to inspire the students present with a motivational speech. He admitted feeling a bit out of place, as it was his first time addressing a school audience. "I’m not accustomed to speaking in schools, so this might feel a bit strange for me since I left the school environment long ago for cricket, and that’s what I’m here to discuss. I understand the school atmosphere; I’ve experienced the same stages you all are going through right now. I want to share how my focus shifted early in my life," he stated.

He emphasized the importance of respecting the school environment and the educators who dedicate their lives to teaching. "A school is a place for learning and personal growth. Show respect to your teachers; they are investing their time in you, and it’s crucial to give them the attention they deserve," Kohli advised.

Furthermore, he shared insights on his journey in cricket, urging children to pursue their passions with integrity. "I chose sports early in my life, driven by a sincere desire to excel in cricket. It’s essential to be honest with yourself and those around you about your aspirations. Commit fully to your dreams, as only you can gauge your honesty in that pursuit," he added. Kohli reminisced about his time at the academy, which he joined at the age of eight, and encouraged the students to cherish their experiences there.

Rajkumar Sharma's Gratitude

Rajkumar Sharma Reacts

After the inauguration, Rajkumar expressed his gratitude to the school for providing space for the new academy branch. He shared his ambition to nurture more talent like Kohli from the academy. "I am very pleased and thankful to DPS RK Puram for this opportunity and for allowing us to utilize their facilities for a quality academy. I am optimistic that with the right infrastructure and dedication at our academy, we will be able to develop more athletes for the nation, similar to Virat Kohli," Rajkumar remarked.