Not AB de Villiers! Virat Kohli Names the South African Who Changed His IPL Career

The Indian batting legend, Virat Kohli has credited former South African wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher for playing a huge role in shaping his career. In a recent episode of the RCB Podcast, Kohli opened up about how a simple conversation with Boucher left a lasting impact on him.

While many would assume names like AB de Villiers or Jacques Kallis influenced Kohli’s IPL journey, it was Boucher who guided him early on. At that time, Kohli was still trying to cement his place in international cricket and had not yet made his Test debut for India.

Recalling his chat with Boucher, Kohli said,

“Among all the players I played with early on, Boucher had the biggest impact on me. He figured out my potential weaknesses and guided me to the next level.

He told me, ‘If I come to commentate in India three or four years from now and don’t see you playing for the team, it would be a disservice by you towards your talent.’ His words left me stunned.”

Mark Boucher played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2008 to 2010. In his 27 matches for Bengaluru, he scored 388 runs at an average of 29.85, which also included a half-century. Off the field, his mentorship clearly played a role in pushing Kohli towards greater heights.

Kohli also spoke about his special bond with RCB, the only IPL franchise he has been part of since the tournament began in 2008. He said that the relationship and mutual respect he shares with the team are more valuable to him than any trophy.

“The love I’ve received from the fans is something that you can’t compare with a trophy or silverware,” Kohli added, reflecting his deep connection with the Bengaluru-based franchise.