Fate of players once considered bigger than Kohli

• Ahmed Shehzad, once a rising star, faded due to inconsistency and off-field issues.
• Sabbir Rahman struggled with discipline and form, losing his place in Bangladesh's team.
• Pradeep Sangwan faced a doping ban and never fulfilled his early promise in cricket.

Cricket has always been a sport that produces rising stars who capture the imagination of fans. Some live up to the hype and go on to become global icons,

while others fade away despite early promise. In India, Virat Kohli’s name has been a constant in world cricket for over a decade. With his consistency, fitness, and hunger for runs, he has cemented his place as one of the greatest of the modern era.

Yet, there was a time when a few players across the world were compared to him and even tipped to have brighter futures. Here, let us have a look at three players who were once considered bigger than Kohli, and see where they are now.

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3 players who were considered bigger than Kohli and where they are now

Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan)

Ahmed Shehzad (Source: Getty Images)

Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad was one of the brightest young batting prospects of his time and was often compared to Virat Kohli for his style and flair. He came to the reckoning for his aggressive stroke play at the top of the order, and was part of Pakistan’s 2009 ICC World Twenty20-winning squad. He went on to make history by becoming the first Pakistani player to score a century in all three formats of the game.

His hundred in the 2014 T20 World Cup remains a highlight of his career. At one stage, Shehzad looked destined to be Pakistan’s batting superstar, but his inconsistency, fitness issues, and off-field controversies stalled his progress. While Kohli surged ahead to become an all-time great, Shehzad faded into the background, playing in domestic and franchise leagues.

Sabbir Rahman (Bangladesh)

Sabbir Rahman (Source: Getty Images)

Bangladesh batter Sabbir Rahman was once seen as his country’s answer to modern, aggressive batting. His breakthrough came in the 2016 Asia Cup, where he emerged as Bangladesh’s top run-scorer with 176 runs at an average of 44.00. His consistency in that tournament, including a match-winning fifty against Sri Lanka in what was Bangladesh’s first T20I win over them, earned him the ‘Player of the Series’ award.

At that time, many believed Sabbir could anchor Bangladesh’s middle order for years, much like Kohli did for India. However, despite flashes of brilliance, Shabbir’s career was marred by disciplinary issues and inconsistent form. Suspensions and fines further derailed his progress, and he eventually lost his place in the national team. His last international appearance came in 2022 during a T20I against Pakistan at Christchurch.

Pradeep Sangwan (India)

Pradeep Sangwan (Source: X)

The left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan was one of the most talked-about youngsters to emerge from the 2008 U-19 World Cup, where he was Kohli’s teammate. With his ability to swing the ball both ways, Sangwan was looked at as a future spearhead of India’s pace attack. He even attracted early IPL attention, with Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) investing in him, while Kohli initially was not picked, with the franchise having the option to go after him.

However, Sangwan’s career never took off the way many expected. A doping ban in 2013 proved to be a massive setback, and he struggled with fitness and form thereafter. Though he continued to play in domestic cricket and even captained Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he never broke into the Indian senior team. His last appearance came in the 2023 domestic season.