Rajkumar Sharma Guides Assam’s Young Cricketers to Thrive in Vijay Hazare Trophy Battles

Renowned in Indian cricket circles, Rajkumar Sharma has coached countless aspiring players at the West Delhi Cricket Academy in the nation’s capital. His most notable mentee is none other than one of India’s cricketing legends, Virat Kohli.

Rajkumar and Kohli share a strong, enduring personal bond that has withstood the pressures of time and stardom. “I’m always there whenever and wherever he plays. I’m even planning to watch him in Baroda against New Zealand,” Rajkumar shared with Sportstar while attending the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) as mentor of the Assam team.

In the 2025 VHT, Kohli has played in two matches, scoring 131 and 77. His last stint in this domestic one-day tournament was back in February 2010. Rajkumar believes Kohli’s presence serves as a huge motivation for all the players involved.

“Virat was thrilled to assist them. For these boys, it’s an incredible experience to either sit beside or play alongside Kohli. Everyone has been telling me how much they enjoyed it and wish for more matches with him. He truly inspires the nation,” the coach commented. “Almost daily, we chat about his activities. I’m genuinely pleased with his success,” he added.

Some in the cricket community argue that competing on flat pitches in domestic cricket might not be the best preparation for Kohli if he aims to shine in the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Rajkumar, however, disagrees.

“With the vast amount of cricket he has played and his countless achievements, Kohli knows his role and how to adapt to different conditions. He’s especially performed well in South Africa. India needs him to clinch the World Cup,” remarked the Dhronacharya awardee.

Another emerging talent from Rajkumar’s academy is pacer Udhav Mohan, set to represent India Under-19 in the upcoming World Cup. “Udhav is incredibly promising, eager to learn, and works diligently. He’s been under my guidance since he was nine. I have high hopes for his performance in the World Cup and his potential rise to the top tier,” he said.

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Under Rajkumar’s guidance, Assam has demonstrated remarkable progress, including a thrilling four-wicket triumph over Hyderabad by chasing a challenging target of 311 in the final over. The coach relishes his time with the team.

“The squad is immensely talented but needs to build mental resilience, which is why Mr. Devajit Saikia (BCCI Secretary) brought me here. I’m doing my utmost to assist them,” he stated. “Assam boasts top-notch facilities, and my role is to help players express themselves and navigate critical moments,” explained the former Delhi cricketer.

As Assam aims to advance its performance this season, Rajkumar remains hopeful of helping the skilled team make significant strides forward.

Published on Dec 30, 2025