'Few random guys chased us' - Pradeep Sangwan recalls how Virat Kohli risked life for mutton rolls in South Africa

Virat Kohli’s teammate from his under-19 days, Pradeep Sangwan has revealed a thrilling anecdote from their early days, when the duo went to an unsafe place in South Africa to enjoy street food. Back in the day, the chubby, gourmand Kohli was far from his current fitness-freak avatar, and the food-lover in him was even willing to put his security at stake in return for some special mutton delicacy.

Sangwan, who has represented Delhi in 58 First-Class games for 178 wickets, revealed how despite being told from a locale about their unsafe neighbourhood, Kohli did not step back from visiting the place that was known for “nice mutton rolls”. Sangwan added that he and Kohli had a close shave themselves upon visiting the street as they were followed by some “random guys”, however, they managed to escape unscathed.

“He had been my room partner for seven-eight years in junior cricket. He used to love food, street food especially. He was a foodie, korma rolls, chicken rolls were his favourite. We were in South Africa with India under 19 team, and someone told him that you get nice mutton roll at some place, but it’s not in a secure neighbourhood,” the 31-year-old Sangwan wrote in an Indian Express Column.

“Our driver too told us that food is nice but recently some fight took place around there and someone chopped someone’s hand there. I got scared, but he said, ‘chal yaar, wahan chalenge’ (no biggie, dude, let’s go) and he took me there too. We ate and few random guys chased us, but we just drove our car back and only stopped after reaching our place.”

In 2012 he came with a plan; began to look after his fitness: Pradeep Sangwan

The pacer added how Kohli became extremely aware and concerned towards his body to transform himself from a negligent teenager who would eat anything without a thought to one of the fittest athletes ever.

“After playing for India, he came to play for us in 2012 and this was the time he went to another level in terms of his diet. We used to call him cheeku-motu in the team,” Sangwan wrote.

“But in 2012 he came with a plan where he began look after his fitness. He began to follow a strict diet. He was determined to lose his weight, and wanted to shed few kilos. He wanted to be a good fielder, he was a safe fielder then too but in terms of reflexes, he felt he was not upto the mark. He wanted to be the best fielder. He liked to bat for hours in the nets and then he would go do some more knocking,” he elaborated.

Kohli is currently with the Indian team playing a two-Test series against Sri Lanka at home, whereas Sangwan is representing Delhi in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.