Virat Kohli, now 34 years old, has had a remarkable career in international cricket, excelling in all three game formats. He has a passion for cricket that dates back to his childhood. He has achieved great success, scoring 75 centuries in international cricket, second only to Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Ever since he led India to victory in the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, Kohli has inspired many young cricketers, some of whom have gone on to become professional players.
Here are three aspiring cricketers who had the opportunity to take a picture with Virat Kohli before achieving stardom:
1. Marco Jansen
Before making a name for himself in international cricket, the tall and lean South African fast bowler had his picture taken with Virat Kohli in 2018. Jansen was a budding bowler then and had the opportunity to bowl to Kohli during a net session.
Three years later, Jansen made his Test debut against India and claimed the coveted wicket of Kohli in India’s second innings. Jansen has since become an indispensable member of the South African team, featuring in all three game formats.
2. Shreyanka Patil
RCB all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has revealed details about her first encounter with Virat Kohli. According to Patil, Kohli took her phone and clicked a photo with her. She even mentioned that Kohli touched her arm, and she was so thrilled by the experience that she went to school and excitedly told everyone about it. Patil’s impressive performances in the WPL have earned her a reputation as a rising star in the sport.
3. Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal, a teammate of Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, has formed a formidable partnership with the Indian captain in the top order. In a memorable match during IPL 2020, RCB cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals, with Padikkal contributing a solid 63 and Kohli remaining unbeaten on 72. Following the game, Padikkal took to social media to share pictures of his journey from a fan standing alongside Kohli to becoming his teammate in RCB.
