Leading up to the U-19 World Cup 2008, Virat was wont to believe that the squad, led by himself was the best young talent India had to offer.

Then suddenly one day during practice, he saw his teammates talking about someone called 'Rohit Sharma', who was about to make his India debut, apparently.

Virat knew now that he had been an arrogant brat in his younger days, because he had asked, "How come he gets to play for India when he couldn't even make it to the U-19 team?"

"He's 20, I think," someone said.

"Well, then he should have played in the last U-19 WC," said Virat nonchalantly. "Don't you guys have anything better to discuss?"

However, after that, he heard their coach talking about the ridiculously talented new guy Rohit Sharma. Then he heard that Sourav sir had praised him extravagantly.

Then he heard that Sachin sir, his idol, was also praising Rohit Sharma.

Who the hell was this Rohit Sharma? wondered Virat uneasily, with a twinge of jealousy, because he worshipped Sachin sir and he knew that he had been Sachin sir's favourite youngster till Rohit Sharma burst on to the scene.

Virat determinedly sat down in front of the TV to watch Rohit Sharma's debut match in the T20 WC 2007.

Before he had watched Rohit face 6 balls, Virat's contemptuous, angry demeanor had given way to open mouthed awe.

It couldn't have been clearer why everyone was so caught up with this guy.

His shots...his class...his timing!

God, Rohit Sharma must be an absolute natural talent!

After that, Virat became just one more of Rohit Sharma's fans. He made sure he watched every match Rohit played in, and concluded that he was, though talented, reckless and impatient.

Try as he might, Virat couldn't dislike Rohit Sharma, even though he was getting to be Sachin sir's favourite, even though he was jealous of all the attention he was getting.

Rohit Sharma's behaviour, words and demeanor as seen on the field was simply un-dislikeable, Virat felt.

Of course, he didn't know what the future held.