Calcutta: Sometimes a brief intervention or even a few words leave a lasting impression... Absolutely wow the ones either to have heard the words or been a witness to the intervention.

One example is of John Michael Brearley coming away more than impressed from the Long Room at Lord’s.

With? India captain Virat Kohli.

When? June 12 this year, when the Long Room hosted the High Commission of India’s reception to “celebrate India-UK” cricket ties. Essentially, it was part of the build-up to 70 years of Independence and a high point of the India-UK Year of Culture festivities.

“The reception obviously had a lot of Indian invitees and it had become noisy in just about all corners of the Long Room...
“Virat and his team were there too...

“The Master of Ceremonies was seeking comments from some of the invitees, but hardly anything could be heard because of all the noise...

“Not wanting to be a mute spectator, Virat got up and politely made the point that whatever was being said ‘should be heard’...

“Basically that the invitees needed to be respectful of the speakers...

“The invitees did become quiet, allowing the function to continue as planned...

“Virat’s conduct left me more than impressed. His interjection showed character, showed clarity of thought...

“Where priorities go, Virat is sure of the pecking order...

“Clearly, in the midst of the Champions Trophy, Virat and his team had come to the Long Room for a purpose and there was no need for anybody to mar the occasion...

“There was no time for me to talk to Virat, though, as he was always surrounded by admirers. We exchanged a ‘hello’, that’s about it,” Brearley told The Telegraph on Saturday evening.

Virat’s interjection, which didn’t come a minute late, only raised his already-high stock with Brearley.

“Yes, I do admire Virat and admire him for a host of reasons,” Brearley, a celebrated captain himself, added.

Only recently, Virat chose to speak his mind on the scheduling of international cricket this season, leaving the entire Board of Control for Cricket in India red-faced. So, he is not one to turn diplomatic.

Asked how a session with Virat would turn out, Brearley (a practising psychoanalyst) answered: “It will depend on what he wants to know. I don’t know what’s on in his mind, but I’d certainly like to know.”

Many others would love to know too.