Kohli remembers U-19 World Cup days, says Williamson was a stand-out player in 2008

Virat Kohli has picked his New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson as standout performer of 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup even though event was dominated by his team and gave India skipper his first taste of stardom. Kohli's India beat Williamson's New Zealand in a close semi-final of that edition, which also featured Ravindra Jadeja, Trent Boult, and Tim Soue. 

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Kohli remembers U-19 World Cup days

"I remember playing against Kane (Williamson). He was someone who always stood out in team, his batting ability was very different from or players who were around. It is good to kw that so many people from that batch, like Kane and Steve Smith, have played for ir respective countries," Kohli was quoted as saying in a media release by ICC.

" ICC U19 World Cup was a very important milestone in my career," said Kohli, who made 235 runs at an aver of 47 in 2008. 

"It helped us get a good platform to build on and make our careers from reon, so it holds a very important place in my mind and heart. It is very important to understand and respect opportunity it provides to you."

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While Kohli was a star of 2008 edition, 2010 edition featured some of future England superstars like Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and current skipper Joe Root. In fact, Root recollected how Stokes had batted India out with a match-winning hundred. all-rounder peeled off 100 from 88 balls, including six sixes, to lift England to a total of 246 that y successfully defended and gave m a flawless group st record in New Zealand.

"We didn't get off to best start in that India game but Ben played one of best innings I'd ever seen for a player of that ," said Root.

"It was on first world st you can play on  he made a brilliant hundred and we ended up winning game against tournament favourites, which was fantastic and great to be a part of. It was a launchpad for me and I played in a squad with a guys who are still in team w, like Ben and James Vince."

"To play alongside players like that, learn from m and watch m develop, to n go back and play against m in county cricket, meant we were always pushing each or to get better."

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