Virat Kohli recently shared a heartwarming moment with young fans during India’s training session ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, and one particular interaction has taken social media by storm. The former India captain was all smiles after spotting a young boy who bore an uncanny resemblance to his younger self, a moment that quickly went viral across platforms.
As Team India prepared at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, Kohli took time out from his routine to meet children in the stands, signing autographs and posing for photographs. Among the group, one child instantly caught Kohli’s attention due to his striking similarity to the Indian batting great’s early days. The sight left Kohli visibly amused, with cameras capturing his broad grin as he interacted with the youngster.
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Images from the session soon surfaced online, with fans on X enthusiastically dubbing the boy “mini Kohli.” Several supporters even shared side-by-side comparisons with Kohli’s childhood photographs, sparking nostalgia and adding to the charm of the moment. The clip highlighted Kohli’s enduring connection with fans and his ability to light up even routine training sessions.
#WATCH | #ViratKohli doppelganger: ‘Mini Kohli’ goes viral ahead of #IndiaVsNewZealand #ODIs ; star’s priceless reaction wins internet
(Video courtesy : X) pic.twitter.com/Ob1mioxC1H— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) January 10, 2026
The viral interaction comes at a time when Kohli appears relaxed and in good spirits ahead of a busy international schedule. He arrived in Vadodara earlier this week to a warm reception from fans, as the city prepares to host a men’s ODI for the first time in several years. Kohli wasted no time settling in, joining his teammates for focused training sessions.
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India and New Zealand will lock horns in a three-match ODI series starting in Vadodara, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. The series will then be followed by a five-match T20I contest.
Kohli heads into the series in strong form after an impressive return to domestic cricket in December. Playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time in 16 years, he made an immediate impact with a brilliant 131, followed by a composed 77, underlining his readiness for the challenges ahead.
