‘He burst out laughing’: Former Gujarat batter recalls U-15 NCA days with Virat Kohli

Former Gujarat batter Priyank Panchal recently declared his retirement from all forms of cricket, recalling his early U-15 days alongside former India skipper Virat Kohli, who has also retired from Test cricket.

Panchal, who retired as a domestic stalwart, related a tale from their Under-15 National Cricket Academy (NCA) days, revealing that when the two met again in 2021, Kohli remembered an on-field event involving the two and fell out laughing while recalling it.

“I’ve known Virat since the U-15 NCA days. I was overweight back then and fell in the crease while running with him. Years later, in 2021, he remembered the story and erupted into laughter. He tweeted, “A gem of a person.”

I know of Virat since our U-15 NCA days. I used to be chubby back then and had fallen midway in the crease while completing a run with him. Years later, in 2021, he still remembered that story and burst out laughing. Gem of a person #ViratKohli𓃵 https://t.co/vOsIBs8k2z

— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) June 27, 2025

Virat Kohli is like Michael Jordan, says Priyank Panchal.

Meanwhile, in May 2025, Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, capping a 14-year career in which he played 123 matches, scored 9230 runs, and led India in 68 Tests. He made his decision ahead of the five-match Test series against England. Panchal praised the Delhi native on his successful career and was disappointed to see a player like Virat leaving the format.

“I am overjoyed to watch you reach such incredible heights. From our early days at the NCA camp during the U-15s to the limited time we were together during a Test series, it’s been an honour to follow your progress. Congratulations on an outstanding Test career. It’s unfortunate to see a player of Virat’s calibre retire when he still had so much to offer in terms of Test cricket. It’s simply the traditional problem of a longer peak vs a higher peak. Virat, like Michael Jordan, played with amazing energy, but maintaining it would have been tough. #ViratKohli. After Virat Kohli announced his retirement, Panchal tweeted, “There’s still a lot of cricket left in him.”

Panchal scored nearly 8850 first-class runs, 3672 in List A, and 1522 in Twenty20s. However, he never represented India. Panchal has played for title-winning teams in all forms, including the Ranji Trophy (2016-17), Vijay Hazare Trophy (2015-16), and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2014-15). Despite being nominated to India’s Test squad for the 2021 South Africa tour, he did not have the opportunity to wear the Indian cap. Panchal’s career spanned 17 years and concluded in May 2025.