Seniors' performance inspired us: Taruwar Kohli

Indian Under-19 opener Taruwar Kohli said the seniors' good showing Down Under despite all odds inspired the colts to excel and win the World Cup in Malaysia.

"In spite of the odds, the Indian team took up the challenge and defeated the world champions. It was a source of inspiration for the juniors," Kohli said.

About the main reason behind their success in the Under-19 World Cup, Kohli said, "it was team spirit. Each player stuck to the strategy adopted by the team managers and played up to his potential."

Kohli, who is doing his graduation in Commerce, now wants to improve upon his bowling and become a utility cricketer in future.

"Now I will try to improve my bowling as well, for which I am practising for at least four hours in the Burlton Park Stadium with my coach Suresh Sharma", he said.

Kohli, who idolises Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, was inspired to play cricket seriously after a meeting with the little master seven years ago.

"I met Sachin when he visited our sports manufacturing unit seven years ago and I was so much inspired by him that I decided to follow in his footprints," said Kohli, who belongs to the family that owns a bat manufacturing unit and supplies willows to the likes of Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.