Virat Kohli’s immense popularity once again came into focus after England batter and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate Jordan Cox revealed that the former India captain was secretly photographed during a private meeting in London.
Speaking to The Guardian, Cox recalled meeting Kohli at a London café on the eve of his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval. The two discussed cricket, handling pressure and Kohli’s own experiences before making his international debut. Cox admitted he was surprised by how calm he felt before his first Test, prompting Kohli to tell him that being relaxed was far better than the nerves he experienced before representing India.
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What was meant to be a quiet catch-up, however, soon turned into an uncomfortable reminder of Kohli’s global fame.
“The upsetting thing for him is that people are following him without him knowing,” Cox said.
According to the England batter, hundreds of people walked past the pair without interrupting them. But just hours later, Kohli discovered that photographs of their meeting had surfaced online, leaving him surprised that someone had secretly captured the moment.
Cox said the incident reflected the constant attention Kohli receives despite trying to lead a normal life. The former India captain has spent much of the last two years living in London with wife Anushka Sharma and their children, away from the limelight except for international cricket, the IPL and commercial commitments.
The England batter also praised Kohli’s willingness to mentor younger cricketers during RCB’s IPL-winning campaign.
“The thing that I found most special during the IPL is how much time he gave me. For someone who has achieved so much, he always wants to help others before himself. That is very rare,” Cox said.
Kohli is expected to return to international cricket in India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against England after recovering from a hamstring injury.
