A West Delhi neighbourhood recalls Virat the kid

Early every morning, Pankaj Mahindru, 51, would fetch newspapers from his gate at west Delhi's LIC colony in Jeevan Niketan, Paschim Vihar. It would be just around 6 am, but across from his home, he would often see a budding cricketer get into his WagonR with a cricket kit.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok [e-mail]

NEW DELHI: Early every morning, Pankaj Mahindru, 51, would fetch newspapers from his gate at west Delhi's LIC colony in Jeevan Niketan, Paschim Vihar. It would be just around 6 am, but across from his home, he would often see a budding cricketer get into his WagonR with a cricket kit.

For a year, Mahindru saw the youngster's routine, but only found out who he was when he led India to victory in the U-19 World Cup final in Kuala Lumpur in 2008. The cricketer Mahindru and his neighbourhood became aware of as a big talent was none other than Virat Kohli, who on Monday announced his Test retirement after building a lasting legacy that transcends statistics.

What the numbers and accolades don't show is the journey of a boy from West Delhi who spent most of his formative years in Paschim Vihar and the streets around it, until he shot into national and international stardom.