Virat Kohli’s name has come to represent cricket’s ferocity, aggressiveness, and ferocious competitive spirit. But there have been times when Virat Kohli showed sportsmanship and friendship that went beyond the borders and rivalries of the game. In this piece, we look at five touching instances in which Virat Kohli displayed his bromance with opposing players, demonstrating that the sport is about more than simply winning.
5 Times Virat Kohli Showed Bromance With Opponent Cricketers:
#1 Virat Kohli Begs the Crowd to not boo Steve Smith
The ball-tampering affair involving Steve Smith has been one of the most controversial and hotly debated topics in cricket. As a result of his involvement in the incident during a series against South Africa, the Australian player was threatened with a provisional suspension from international cricket. After his return to the pitch, the crowd booed him and some even brought out sandpapers to poke fun at him.
But in the middle of all the heated competition and anxiety on the pitch, the then-Indian captain Virat Kohli did something really incredible. Not to boo Steve Smith, he pleaded with the fans. Kohli signalled to the audience, telling them to praise Smith’s comeback to the game rather than joining the cacophony of criticism. Kohli was nominated for the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade and won the 2019 Spirit of Cricket award for his sportsmanlike conduct.
#2 Checking Wahab Riaz’s Status After His Fall
India’s match against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 was one of the tournament’s most anticipated. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma put on a masterful display, destroying the Pakistani bowlers and leading their team to a resounding win. It was a crowning achievement for India, who now have a perfect record versus Pakistan in World Cups.
In spite of the cutthroat nature of the game, a heartwarming show of sportsmanship emerged. Wahab Riaz, a fast bowler for the Pakistani team, slipped and collapsed during his follow-through after delivering a delivery despite giving it his best on the pitch. During a crucial part of his innings, Virat Kohli went to see how Wahab Riaz was doing. He reached over the divide of country and rivalry to lay a comforting hand on Riaz’s back.
#3 Singing Mohammed Amir’s Praise Before the Asia Cup 2016
Pakistan’s outstanding left-arm bowler Mohammed Amir was banned from all cricket after being implicated in a match-fixing scam. But after five years, he made a spectacular return, and his bowling skills impressed everyone. Amir was scheduled to play India in the 2016 Asia Cup.
Virat Kohli’s public acknowledgement of Mohammed Amir’s excellent talents is wonderful. Kohli’s comments on Amir’s potential to be a top-three bowler in the world had cricket fans all around the globe nodding their heads in agreement: “I have always believed that he (Amir) is a world-class bowler.” He’s got a tonne of potential, terrific speed, and a devastating yorker. The confidence boost Amir received from Kohli’s comments was doubled by their emphasis on the game’s appreciation of skill and perseverance.
#4 Respect for the Newcomer: Haseeb Hameed
A young English opener by the name of Haseeb Hameed made his debut during a tense Test series between India and England in 2016/17. In his maiden Test series, Hameed showed tremendous maturity and talent despite his lack of experience. Unfortunately, disaster struck when a ball from Umesh Yadav injured his left hand.
Hameed showed incredible bravery by coming back to bat lower in the order in the second innings when he scored 59 vital runs while clearly being in discomfort. The then-Indian captain, Virat Kohli, was quick to recognise Hameed’s integrity and tenacity. The kid cricketer’s tenacity was reflected in Kohli’s words: “I wish him a speedy recovery. He showed great character for a 19-year-old at this level. He put his hand up when his team wanted him to do it. The way he played with James Anderson, in the end, showed great maturity, to play with a tail like that. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.”
5. Hugging Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan after Pakistan’s historic 2021 Twenty20 World Cup victory against India
India and Pakistan’s cricket rivalry is one of the most intense in the sport. The whole globe is watching with bated breath as these two teams square off. Pakistan beat India in a historic match in the T20 World Cup in 2021. Even though he was unhappy with the outcome, Virat Kohli handled himself with great sportsmanship as the crowd celebrated.
Kohli was seen hugging Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan after the game. There can be mutual respect and friendship in the world of cricket, even in the face of severe competition, as shown by this gesture, which went beyond national lines and rivalry.
Finally, Virat Kohli, a formidable opponent on the cricket pitch, has often shown that sportsmanship, respect, and friendship can flourish among the most heated rivalry. These interactions serve as a reminder that cricket is more than simply a sport; it is a medium through which people from different backgrounds and cultures can connect and learn to appreciate one another. We cricket lovers can only hope that the sport is filled with more touching moments like this one.
