What happened to Virat Kohli’s Under 19 rivals? Where are they now?

While star batter Virat Kohli led India to victory in the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup, he was not the only young cricketer grabbing eyeballs that season. That tournament witnessed several players across teams become greats of the game. Kohli and his batchmates were future stars in the making, some even seen as rivals at the time. Many from that generation produced successful international careers, becoming big names and leading their respective countries. 

6. Ahmed Shehzad

Former Pakistani batter Ahmed Shehzad played in the same 2008 U-19 World Cup as Virat Kohli. Shehzad was once hailed as Pakistan’s next batting star. With his resemblance to Kohli, both in appearance and attitude, both of them were often compared.

Shehzad made his international debut in 2009 and became a reliable opener. He was the first Pakistan player to score a T20I century, registering 111* against Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup. That same year, he scored his Test-best 176 against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. He also became the fourth-fastest Pakistani opener to notch five ODI hundreds, achieving the feat in just 43 innings.

However, Shehzad’s career was cut short due to poor performance and off-field controversies. Despite several comebacks, including a return in 2019 after strong Pakistan Super League (PSL) performances, Shehzad could not hold his place in Pakistan’s national team. By 2023, he stepped away from the PSL after going unsold in the players’ draft. He currently features as a cricket expert on TV and runs his own YouTube channel.

5. Tim Southee

Legendary pacer Tim Southee, once Virat Kohli’s rival at the 2008 Under-19 World Cup, was the Player of the Tournament in that edition. Southee made his Test debut just weeks after the World Cup and ran through England with a five-wicket haul and a 40-ball 77*.

Over 16 years, he became one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever pacers, taking 776 international wickets and forming a legendary new-ball partnership with Trent Boult. He also captained the Test side and was part of two ODI World Cup finals and a World Test Championship win.

Having retired from Tests in late 2024, Southee has now taken up coaching roles. He has joined England’s support staff as a specialist skills consultant for their summer season, forming up with former teammate Brendon McCullum. 

4. Trent Boult

Trent Boult was part of the 2008 ICC U19 World Cup, representing New Zealand. Even back then, his ability to swing the ball grabbed headlines. Since making his international debut in 2011, Boult became one of New Zealand’s most dependable fast bowlers across formats, playing big roles in their 2015 and 2019 World Cup finals and the 2021 World Test Championship triumph.

However, in 2022, he opted out of a New Zealand central contract to focus on franchise cricket. He currently features in top leagues like the IPL, ILT20, SA20, and Major League Cricket. Though he has retired from international cricket, he is one of the crucial players in any league he features in.

3. Josh Hazelwood

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood is one of the most dependable fast bowlers. While Virat Kohli captained India to glory in that tournament, Hazlewood rose through the ranks. Recently, Hazlewood was named in Australia’s white-ball squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

With nearly 300 Test wickets and immense white-ball success, including contributions in Australia’s 2021 T20 and 2023 ODI World Cup triumphs, Hazlewood has established himself as one of the mainstays in the team. He also enjoyed a solid IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, sharing the dressing room with Kohli for three seasons and playing a crucial role in their 2025 title win. Haze

2. Kane Williamson

Another member of the ‘Fab Four’, Kane Williamson, was also Virat Kohli’s 2008 U-19 World Cup batchmate. The right-handed batter has turned out to be New Zealand’s finest cricketer. The 34-year-old stepped down as white-ball captain and declined a central contract for 2024–25, but is still a regular member of all the formats. He is currently representing Middlesex in England’s County Championship Division Two.

Williamson debuted for New Zealand in 2010. With over 9,000 Test runs and a World Test Championship title in 2021, he is one of the celebrated cricketers in the world. He also led New Zealand to the 2019 World Cup final and was named Player of the Tournament.

1. Steven Smith

Legendary Australian batter Steve Smith is Virat Kohli’s batchmate from the 2008 U-19 World Cup, and has gone on to become arguably the best Test batter of this generation. Once a leg-spinner, Smith turned himself into a world-class batter and is now part of the iconic ‘Fab 4’ alongside Kohli, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson.

Smith recently featured in Australia’s tour of the West Indies and is currently preparing for the upcoming Ashes series. A key member of the Australian Test side, he has scored over 10,000 Test runs and played a crucial role in Australia’s 2023 World Test Championship triumph over India. He was also part of Australia’s 2015 and 2023 ODI World Cup-winning squads. In 2025, following Australia’s Champions Trophy semi-final loss to India, Smith retired from ODI cricket. However, he has confirmed his availability in the Test and T20I format.