Former India captain Virat Kohli’s preparation for the high-stakes ODI series against New Zealand featured a touching interlude that has captivated fans across social media. While training in Vadodara, the veteran batter paused his practice to engage with a group of young supporters and sign autographs. One young boy in particular stood out, drawing immediate attention from onlookers due to his remarkable and uncanny resemblance to a childhood version of India's batting superstar.
When Virat met mini Kohli, his smile says it all
Images of the interaction quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), showing a beaming Kohli clearly amused by his young doppelganger. The internet was soon flooded with side-by-side comparisons of the youngster and nostalgic photos of a young Kohli from his early playing days in Delhi. Fans affectionately dubbed the child 'mini Kohli', adding a sentimental and lighthearted layer to the intense buildup surrounding the series.
Watch the video here:
Having arrived in Vadodara, a city hosting its first men's ODI in years, to a hero's welcome at the airport, Kohli has wasted no time in hitting the nets.
The upcoming white-ball series between India and New Zealand kicks off with three ODIs, starting in Vadodara and moving to Rajkot on January 14, before concluding in Indore on January 18. This 50-over assignment will be followed by a high-octane five-match T20I series. Kohli, who has historically performed well against the BlackCaps, enters the contest with an intense focus on maintaining his current momentum.
The 36-year-old batting icon recently made a rare and successful return to domestic cricket, representing Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time in 16 years. He made his presence felt immediately, smashing a commanding 131 followed by a stylish 77. During this brief domestic stint, Kohli surpassed the 16,000-run mark in List A cricket, eclipsing another of Sachin Tendulkar's records to become the fastest player to reach that milestone.
Kohli’s domestic masterclass follows a dominant showing against South Africa, where his consistent run-scoring was instrumental in India’s 2-1 series victory. Currently in peak physical and mental form, boosted by his recent positive interactions with fans in Vadodara, Kohli appears primed to lead India’s batting charge against a challenging New Zealand attack.