‘Kuch kuch hota hai Virat, tum nahin samjhoge…”
When I had first come across Virat Kohli he was neither a star player nor was I a cricket fan. The night of the 2011 World Cup final changed my life. There was something that attracted me towards him. I started collecting his photos and following his interviews. His struggles inspired me and his looks… ‘Kuch kuch hota hai Virat, tum nahin samjhoge…”
I have followed him for the last five years and have actually seen him evolve as a cricketer and a person. And I have seen myself convert into a typical Indian cricket fan. I really like the way he carries himself on and off the field. The “go-getter” attitude in him as a cricketer, the glamour in him as a model, the cuteness in him as a son or the passion in him as a lover, how could I not have fallen for this supreme being (the meaning of ‘Virat’ on Google)?
Sometimes his life seems to be a dream... rich, young and handsome with a large female fan following. He has seen it all in just 27 years of his life. He’s a man who has designed his own life, who has climbed the mountain on his own to enjoy the view.
Specially for Virat: “You idolised Sachin Tendulkar and wanted to achieve something close to him but let’s just say his kids will idolise you”.
Viratian Shubharthini Saha, New Alipore
‘Virat’ the word in Hindi means ‘mammoth’. The very word is suggestive of the one-man show in Indian cricket now — Virat Kohli. A man of today’s generation who boasts of fancy tattoos and makes jaws drop. Girls drool over his picture-perfect physique. That beard is macho. This man has captured a place in everyone’s heart with his aggressive and magnificent batting. His brilliant knocks in the crucial games against Pakistan and Australia showcased his talent and the splendid form he is in. The way he plays under pressure is commendable.
I have followed all the games Virat has played in the past two years and seen how as a player he has evolved with time. Catching the highlights more than thrice of each and every match he plays is a MUST! I not only love the way he plays but his aggression, passion, attitude, style and looks as well. He is great player and has always given me positivity. He has inspired me.
I hope he continues with this form and wins the World Cup for the nation.
Ishika Maloo, Modern High School for Girls
Until that day it was a dream... a meagre dream for most but a big one for me! I still remember the day, it was December 24, 2009, when I stepped into Eden Gardens for the first time in my life. Who knew this day would become so special to me forever? Yes! The Man made the day special not only for him but for me as well!! Virat Kohli was only an U-19 World Cup winning captain then. But on December 24, 2009 he scored his maiden ODI century at Eden Gardens against Sri Lanka. What a run chase by him! My first Eden visit and I witnessed that! What a day!!
I still remember before leaving for Eden I was sad and I told my dad that Mahendra Singh Dhoni won’t be playing this match. He had said, ‘don’t worry something good is always there in stock’. How true that statement was!
Today Virat Kohli has established himself as the best batsman in the world! I try not to miss any of his batting. Even if I do I make sure to come back and watch the highlights. I SO wish I could meet him once in my life!
Sanjana Mullick, Loreto College
From hate to love
When Dhoni hit that winning shot on Sunday against Australia in that virtual quarter-final, the country erupted, and well it was yet another one-man show. VIRAT KOHLI. But what actually came as a surprise to me was that I was in love with his performance. Yes, it was surprising because all my life I have HATED him like anything. You know, the feeling you get when someone scratches their nails against a wall, that’s exactly how I used to feel every time he scored a ton. I hated his arrogant nature and I couldn’t stand the sight of him.
He has pulled off a lot of run chases, but Sunday was special. I can’t stop myself from admiring him and there are no second thoughts about the fact that he got himself another fanboy. The man has earned every bit of that respect and it’s here to stay for a very long time.
So I guess that’s that. Now come on Virat, get us that World Cup at Eden Gardens. Bleed Blue.
Shubham Agarwal, Heritage Institute of Technology
The world calls him Mr Consistent, the chase-master, superhero, saviour but I think of him as the most charming gentleman any team could get. Even with that bat in hand, chasing runs, playing for the country, he manages to take every girl’s heart away with his irresistible charm and smile.
When RCB lost to KKR in Eden, the crowd chanted KKR. I stood alone and shouted RCB because that’s where my heart is.
I remember dancing like a fangirl every time he won matches for India. I remember supporting and defending him every time he failed to perform. Every time he plays with that blue jersey on, making our country proud, makes me fall for him a bit more.
Minal Singh, The Bhawanipur Education Society College
It was February 22, 2008. I remember the exact date when I saw a brash boy from Delhi smash the West Indies U-19 attack. The same brash boy abused into the camera after leading the nation to junior World Cup glory days later against South Africa. On that rainy day in Kuala Lumpur all those who watched the game saw a maverick leader and a confident player. But most of them commented that this boy is too talented for his own good. He lacks temperament. I for some reason, I yet know not, started following him intensely. The boy we are talking about is now the nation’s sensation. Virat Kohli.
I have admired this man from when not even the most ardent cricket follower knew about him. I was there at Eden Gardens to witness his first senior team century when he was just 21. I have seen him grow as a player, from being almost dropped from the Test team in 2012 to now being the Test captain; from scoring centuries for fun to being subject to a nation’s ire, I have in my little way stood by him.
Most fans have just seen your success. I have not been just a fan, for after Sourav Ganguly retired in 2008, you have been the reason I have kept watching cricket and when you are dismissed, my TV set is switched off.
Most people may be surprised with whatever you are achieving, but for me and I dare say this, you are merely whetting your appetite.
Arinjay Ghosh, Institute of Engineering & Management
Virat Kohli makes cricket interesting for me. I started following IPL and I became a fan of Virat Kohli. My mother met him in a mall in South Africa a couple of years back and she told him that I was a big fan. He smiled. She called me and I just SCREAMEDDDDDDD! Guess what? t2 helps me know Virat better. I have made three scrapbooks on Kohli!
Ashmita Ghosh, G.D. Birla Centre for Education
King Kohli’s Calcutta album... kar gaya chull!
It was IPL 2014 when I met Virat Kohli at Taj Bengal and it was a complete #BoyCrush moment. He’s extremely down to earth. I complimented him on his game and his Panju aggression (being one myself) and he insisted he’d calmed down and was focusing solely on his game
— Nikhil Chawla of Mocha
November 2011, I had gone to Roxy for a night-out with friends and what we had thought would be a normal clubbing night, turned out to be so much fun! Years later, it became a moment of pride and something to brag about. It was a night I partied with a certain rising star called Virat Kohli! Honestly, when I met him I did not know much about him but I ended up clicking pictures with him because he looked cute. The very next day when I got to know about him properly, I immediately started following him on social media. That night there was a certain spunk in him and I loved how grounded he was. He didn’t roll his eyes even once when my gang of girlfriends requested him for pictures. I remember Virat really dancing to both Bolly and international hits, lip-syncing occasionally and having a good time without being bothered who was around. I faintly remember him hopping to Tantra once, coming back to Roxy and staying for almost an hour.
Today I love Virat not only for his looks but also for his confidence and the aggressive way he plays, because it’s hot! If I ever get to meet him again then I will show him our 2011 picture and tell him we had met before, so I should have an edge over his other fans! Can’t believe how he has gone from cute to super-groomed, hot and handsome. If I meet him I just want to tell him how much I love him and how awesome he is. I wish to dance with him this time to Kar gayi chull
— Mital Joshi (extreme right)
