Virat Kohli may have moved away from Mumbai and is often jokingly labelled an “overseas player” by some fans after making his base in the UK, but his admiration for Mumbai’s cricketers remains intact. That affection was evident once again during an IPL clash in Bengaluru when he applauded a spirited knock by Sarfaraz Khan.
The moment unfolded at the home ground of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Kohli was seen acknowledging Sarfaraz’s effort despite it coming against his own team.
As Sarfaraz walked back after a blazing 25-ball half-century for Chennai Super Kings, Kohli called out to him over the noise of the crowd. When the Mumbai batter turned around, Kohli applauded and gave him a thumbs-up, recognising a fighting knock that briefly revived an otherwise faltering chase.
Sarfaraz had arrived at the crease at a time when CSK were in deep trouble. Chasing a daunting 251-run target, the visitors had slumped to 30 for 3 inside the first three overs and were staring at an early collapse.
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The Mumbaikar responded with a counterattacking innings, striking the ball cleanly and keeping the scoreboard moving with fearless strokeplay. His brisk fifty injected some hope into the chase and briefly lifted the spirits of the CSK camp.
However, the resistance did not last long. Sarfaraz’s charge was eventually halted by Krunal Pandya, who finished with figures of 2 for 36. Earlier, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had struck crucial blows, including the dismissal of Prashant Veer after a quickfire 43 that had helped add 57 runs with Jamie Overton.
Despite the brief fightback, the much-anticipated clash eventually lost its spark as CSK’s chase faded away. Yet the small moment between Kohli and Sarfaraz did not go unnoticed. It reflected Kohli’s long-standing admiration for Mumbai’s cricketers, players known for their grit and competitive spirit. Even if some fans jokingly call him an “overseas player” these days, Kohli’s appreciation for the cricketing culture of the country’s financial capital remains as strong as ever.
By Joe Williams
