WATCH- Virat Kohli inaugurates his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma’s cricket academy at DPS RK Puram, Delhi

Virat Kohli began cricket training at Rajkumar Sharma's academy at the age of 8.

Virat Kohli made a special gesture for his childhood cricket coach Rajkumar Sharma, as he was present at the inauguration ceremony of a branch of his coach’s West Delhi Cricket Academy at DPS RK Puram in New Delhi. He also cut the ribbon for the new branch and interacted with the students.

Rajkumar Sharma attended the function. During the inauguration, Kohli also addressed the kids, urging them to respect their classroom and maintain focus on their objectives.

"Thank you for having me. I'm not used to speaking in schools, so this is going to be a bit awkward for me because I moved away from the school setup long ago for cricket, and that's what I'm going to talk about. I understand the environment of a school. I've been through the same process and stage that all you kids are a part of right now. And I can just share from my own experience how my focus and priority changed very early on in my life," Kohli said at the event, quoted by Times of India.

"What I want to say is that a school is a place where you come to learn, you come to grow, and you become better people. Have respect and regard for that environment first, for your teachers, for the people who are teaching you. They are giving you a part of their lives. It's very important to give them that respect and the focus and attention that's required,” Kohli added.

Kohli further added a personal touch to his speech, stating that he chose to pursue cricket early on in his life and advised students to be clear about their goals.

"I chose sport very early on in my life, but that came from a very honest place. I was very sure that I wanted to go ahead and pursue cricket, and I had to be honest with myself, my family, and also my teachers to convey to them that this is the path I want to take.

Be honest with your dreams about what you want to do and follow that dream with absolute commitment. Only you will know whether you are being 100% honest or not,” he said.

He said he started training at the academy at the age of eight and still visits when possible.

"I started practicing when I was eight years old, and I continue to come to the academy whenever I get time. And it's a big part of my childhood, and I hope all the kids that come to learn cricket here can value it and learn something from the academy. And I hope it does wonders for the school and the cricket setup here as well. So, I wish everyone all the very best," he said.