Virat Kohli Meets Young Fan Who Looks Just Like Him Ahead of ODI Series

In a delightful encounter before the ODI series against New Zealand, former Indian captain Virat Kohli met a young fan named Garvit Uttam, who bears a striking resemblance to him. Dubbed 'mini-Kohli' by fans, Garvit's viral moment included Kohli humorously acknowledging their similarity. Kohli's stellar performance in the first ODI, where he scored 93 runs, further highlighted his cricketing prowess. This article explores the heartwarming interaction and Kohli's match-winning knock, setting the stage for the upcoming games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 13, 2026, 12:54 IST

Virat Kohli's Heartwarming Encounter with a Young Lookalike

Before the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand in Vadodara, former Indian captain and cricket star Virat Kohli met a young fan who strikingly resembled him, earning the nickname 'mini-Kohli' from onlookers.

Kohli was seen engaging with young fans outside Kotambi Stadium, where the series opener was held. The resemblance between Kohli and the young fan quickly captured the attention of social media users, turning the boy into a viral sensation.

Identified as Garvit Uttam, the young fan was compared to Kohli's childhood photos. Kohli acknowledged the resemblance with a smile while signing autographs and interacting with Garvit, who participated in a promotional photoshoot ahead of the ODI series.

A Memorable Moment for Garvit Uttam

Garvit Uttam shared his experience of meeting Virat Kohli, recalling how the cricket star reacted to their striking similarity.

In a video that gained traction online, Garvit expressed his admiration for Kohli's style and presence. Kohli humorously pointed out Garvit to Rohit Sharma, referring to him as his 'duplicate' and affectionately calling him 'Chota Cheeku.'

"I admire his style and aura. When I called his name, he looked at me and said he would return," Garvit recounted.

"Later, he told Rohit Sharma that his duplicate was sitting there and called me 'Chota Cheeku.' I also met Rahul, Arshdeep, Virat, and Rohit," he added.

Kohli's Stellar Performance in the ODI Match

Virat Kohli shone brightly at the Vadodara Stadium with a match-winning performance in the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11.

He scored an impressive 93 runs off 91 balls, contributing significantly to India's four-wicket victory. Kohli's innings included a vital 118-run partnership with Shubman Gill and a 77-run stand with Shreyas Iyer, helping the team chase down a target of 301 runs with six balls remaining.

For his outstanding performance, Kohli was named Player of the Match, leading India to a 1-0 series lead.

Kohli's remarkable form continues from his previous outings, having scored over 50 runs in his last five ODIs, including two centuries.

He is set to return to the field for the second ODI against New Zealand at Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot on January 14.