Virat Kohli, one of the most technically sound batters in modern cricket, owes a major part of his growth to a man whose own career was tragically cut short. Kohli recently opened up about how former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher helped him overcome critical flaws in his batting technique early in his career. Ironically, while Boucher helped shape Kohli’s future, his own was cruelly taken away due to an unfortunate injury during a live match.

Mark Boucher Changed Virat Kohli’s Game

In a candid conversation on the Royal Challengers Bangalore podcast, Kohli praised Boucher for identifying and helping him fix his weaknesses. "Mark Boucher was different from the foreign players I interacted with at the start of my IPL career. Without me even asking, he told me what I needed to work on to play at the international level,” said Kohli.

Boucher noticed that Kohli struggled with short-pitched deliveries, a vulnerability many young batters face. He didn’t just offer advice—he took Kohli to the nets and made him repeatedly practice against short balls, even using a tennis ball to simulate bounce and speed.

“He told me, ‘If I return here as a commentator in four years and you’re not playing for India, it would be your biggest injustice to yourself.’ That struck a chord with me,” Kohli said.

A Career Ended in Seconds

Mark Boucher’s own playing career ended in 2012 due to a freak injury. During a practice match, a bail struck his eye while he was keeping wickets to spinner Imran Tahir. Boucher was wearing only a cap at the time, not a helmet. The impact caused severe damage, forcing him into immediate eye surgery and ultimately leading to his retirement from international cricket.

Boucher’s stats reflect his greatness—147 Tests, over 5500 runs, 532 catches, and 23 stumpings. In ODIs, he played 295 matches, scoring 4686 runs and effecting 425 dismissals behind the stumps.

Kohli’s Tribute

Kohli concluded his remarks by saying, “Mark Boucher played a massive role in transforming my game. His words and training changed the course of my career. I will always be grateful.”