Sachin Tendulkar-Virat Kohli
Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli were the winning members of the ICC World Cup 2011Reuters
Virat Kohli, who has been rested for the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka, is one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket. The Delhi lad has been compared to India legend Sachin Tendulkar, who Kohli revealed is one of the main reasons for him playing professional cricket.

The vice-captain of the ODI and T20 side has been going great guns with the bat, scoring runs at will. Kohli played a huge hand in helping defeat Australia 3-0 in the recenlty concluded T20 series, scoring 199 runs.

Though India might have lost the ODI series, Kohli was one of the best batsmen in the one-day series, scoring 381 runs in the five matches. 

Kohli made his ODI debut in 2008 and Tendulkar was still a key batsman during the time for India. As a result of which Kohli got a chance to witness Tendulkar's preparation ahead of key matches. He considers himself lucky to have shared the dressing room alongside Tendulkar, as he was just coming to terms with international cricket.

"I started playing cricket because of him. I was inspired to do things he did for the country. I always visualise myself in those situations. Cricket Australia's official website quoted Kohli as saying.

"I was lucky enough to be in the same dressing room when I started my career. He really helped me with the little things that I could improve in my game."

Modern-day India cricketers, who got a chance to learn from the Little Master, always listened intently when Tendulkar was talking about the game. Kohli was offered batting tips as well by Tendulkar, who is still one of the most respected figures in world cricket for all the records he achieved in the sport. 

"If he saw something he would come up to me himself and tell the areas I need to work on, which is quite rare. People of his stature won't always do that. It always gave me confidence and I got a chance to bat with him and have big partnerships. That was the most special thing I could have asked for," Kohli said.