Virat Kohli’s Heartwarming Moment with Young Lookalike Goes Viral

Ahead of the 1st ODI against New Zealand, the Indian icon was left beaming after meeting a child who bore an uncanny resemblance to his younger self.

Before the high-octane white-ball battle against New Zealand begins, Virat Kohli found a moment of pure nostalgia on the sidelines. During a training session at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi) on Friday, January 9, 2026, a video captured Kohli’s priceless reaction to a young fan who looked remarkably like a “miniature version” of the cricketer’s own childhood photos.

The child, dubbed “Mini Cheeku” by fans on X (formerly Twitter), stood out among a crowd of youngsters waiting for autographs. As Kohli approached, he stopped in his tracks, visibly amused by the boy’s chubby cheeks and familiar features. The resulting photos of a grinning Kohli signing a miniature bat for his doppelgänger have since clocked millions of views, serving as a lighthearted prelude to the upcoming series.

The Road to the Series: A Domestic Masterclass

Kohli isn’t just winning hearts; he’s obliterating records. Making a rare appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last month to fine-tune his rhythm, he proved exactly why he remains the gold standard of 50-over cricket.

Match	Opponent	Score	Outcome
VHT Round 1	Andhra Pradesh	131 (118)	Led Delhi to a 4-wicket win
VHT Round 2	Railways	77 (84)	Anchored a successful chase

This domestic stint followed a “God-tier” performance in the South Africa ODI series, where he finished as the Player of the Series with 302 runs, including two back-to-back centuries.

India vs. New Zealand: 2026 ODI Schedule

The series opener in Vadodara marks the first men’s ODI in the city in nearly 16 years. With regular captain Shubman Gill leading a side that features the return of the “Ro-Ko” (Rohit and Kohli) duo, expectations are sky-high.

1st ODI: Sunday, Jan 11 – Vadodara (1:30 PM IST)
2nd ODI: Wednesday, Jan 14 – Rajkot (1:30 PM IST)
3rd ODI: Sunday, Jan 18 – Indore (1:30 PM IST)

The “King” Returns to His Throne

Despite shifting his base to the UK recently for family privacy, Kohli’s arrival in Vadodara saw scenes of absolute frenzy at the airport. Security had to tighten their cordon as hundreds of fans blocked his path to the team bus. For the “King,” this series is a vital building block toward the 2026 T20 World Cup, even as he transitions his focus away from the Test format to master the white-ball game.

Disha Rojhe