Vadodara, India:
In a country where cricket is followed with almost religious devotion, millions of young fans dream of becoming like virat kohli-batting with his aggression, carrying his confidence, or simply sharing even a fraction of his aura. But very rarely does a story emerge that blurs the line between admiration and uncanny resemblance. Recently, Indian cricket fans were left amazed after a young boy met Virat Kohli in Vadodara, triggering a viral sensation across social media platforms. The reason? The child looked so much like a young Virat Kohli that even the modern-day cricket legend paused in disbelief.
The incident took place in Vadodara ahead of the India vs New Zealand One-Day International match at the Kotambi Stadium. What started as a routine pre-match moment soon transformed into one of the most heartwarming and astonishing cricket stories of the year. A video showing Virat Kohli interacting with an 8-year-old boy-whose face, smile, eyes, expressions, and mannerisms appeared almost identical to Kohli’s childhood photos-spread like wildfire online within hours.
Fans quickly began calling the boy “Mini Kohli” and “Junior Virat Kohli,” while memes, comparisons, and side-by-side images flooded the internet. The resemblance was so striking that many users initially thought the video was digitally altered. However, the truth turned out to be even more fascinating.
The Viral Moment That Took the Internet by Storm
On the eve of the India–New Zealand ODI in Vadodara, the Indian cricket team arrived at the Kotambi Stadium for practice and preparations. As players stepped onto the ground, fans gathered in large numbers hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Among them stood a young boy wearing an Indian cricket jersey with Virat Kohli’s name and number printed on it.
As soon as virat kohli appeared, the child shouted loudly to grab his attention. Kohli noticed the voice, looked in the boy’s direction, smiled, and waved back. He reportedly told the child that he would come over in a few minutes. True to his word, Kohli later walked up to him, signed an autograph on his bat, and posed for photographs.
That simple interaction would have been special for any child. But what made this moment extraordinary was the boy’s appearance. His round face, expressive eyes, distinctive smile, teeth, and body language bore an uncanny resemblance to Virat Kohli’s childhood photographs from his early cricketing days—images that many fans instantly recognized.
When pictures of the two standing together surfaced online, fans were stunned. Placing the boy’s photo next to Kohli’s childhood pictures created an almost mirror-like effect. Social media users couldn’t stop talking about how the child looked like a carbon copy of Kohli from his early teens.
Even Rohit Sharma Noticed the Resemblance
The resemblance did not go unnoticed by the Indian team either. According to those present at the stadium, Rohit Sharma was among the first to comment on it.
As Virat Kohli stood nearby, Rohit reportedly pointed towards the child and joked, “Arre dekho Virat, tera duplicate baitha hai wahan!” (Look, Virat, your duplicate is sitting there!)
The remark drew laughter from players and fans alike, and for the child, it became a moment of pure joy—one that he and his family will cherish forever.
Meet Gavit Uttam: The Boy Everyone Is Calling ‘Junior Virat Kohli’
The child at the center of this viral phenomenon is Gavit Uttam, an 8-year-old boy from Panchkula, Haryana. Although the viral moment occurred in Vadodara, Gavit does not live there. His hometown is Sector 11, Panchkula, located approximately 1,244 kilometers away from Vadodara.
Gavit was born on 20 April 2017 and currently studies in Class 3 at Saint Soldiers School in Panchkula. His father, Surender Singh, works with a private company in Himachal Pradesh. From a very young age, Gavit has shown a deep interest in both acting and cricket, but cricket remains his greatest passion.
Long before the Vadodara incident, family members and close acquaintances had already begun noticing Gavit’s resemblance to Virat Kohli’s childhood photos. However, no one could have imagined that this similarity would one day make national headlines and turn the young boy into a viral sensation overnight.
How Gavit Caught Virat Kohli’s Attention
Speaking about the unforgettable moment, Gavit recalled how everything unfolded at the stadium.
“When Virat Kohli was arriving, I shouted loudly to call him. He looked at me, waved from a distance, and said he would come back in some time. Later, he actually came to me and signed my bat,” the young boy said with visible excitement.
For a child who idolizes Virat Kohli, this interaction was nothing short of magical. But what followed made the moment even more special.
Virat Kohli’s Reaction: ‘You Look Exactly Like Me’
According to Gavit’s father, Virat Kohli himself was briefly stunned upon seeing the boy up close.
“For a few seconds, even Virat Kohli looked surprised. Then he smiled and told Gavit, ‘Tu toh ab se mera dost hai. Tu bilkul mere jaisa dikh raha hai. Tu meri carbon copy hai,’” Surender Singh recalled.
Hearing such words from one of the greatest cricketers of the modern era left the family overwhelmed. Kohli then signed autographs for Gavit and posed for photographs, further cementing a moment that would soon become unforgettable for millions of fans watching online.
A Light-Hearted Moment with Arshdeep Singh
The fun didn’t end there. Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh also interacted with Gavit and a group of children at the stadium. During a video recording, Arshdeep jokingly commented on Gavit’s calm smile compared to his own broad grin.
Laughing, Arshdeep said, “Arre beta, tere daant kahan hain?” (Where are your teeth?)
The playful remark sent everyone into laughter and added another charming moment to Gavit’s already memorable day. The video, once shared online, further fueled the viral wave.
Overnight Fame and Calls from Across the Country
Within hours of the photos and videos being posted, Gavit’s face was everywhere—Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube. Cricket pages, fan accounts, and news platforms began sharing his story, calling him the “real-life Mini Virat Kohli.”
Surender Singh revealed that after the video went viral, his phone did not stop ringing.
“I started receiving calls from people across the country. Everyone was congratulating us. Some people couldn’t believe it and asked how a child could look so much like Virat Kohli. They searched online and called us just to confirm,” he said.
Many fans jokingly told him that while they had never managed to meet Virat Kohli in person, his son had done so at such a young age.
A Father’s Pride and an Unfulfilled Dream
Surender Singh himself is a lifelong cricket fan and a devoted admirer of Sachin Tendulkar. As a young man, he once dreamed of becoming a cricketer but could not pursue it due to circumstances.
“That dream remained incomplete,” he said. “So I decided that my children should get the opportunity I never had.”
Both of his sons have been enrolled in cricket coaching academies. Gavit, the viral “Junior Virat Kohli,” has been training at a cricket academy since the age of five. Now eight years old, he has already spent more than three years learning the game.
Known as ‘Kohli’ Even at His Cricket Academy
Interestingly, the nickname “Little Virat Kohli” did not begin after the Vadodara incident. According to his father, people had started calling him that two to three years ago.
“At home, we used to joke about it. Even at his cricket academy, people call him ‘Kohli’ instead of his real name,” Surender Singh said.
Gavit himself is a massive fan of Virat Kohli. Without being influenced or instructed, he naturally gravitated towards Kohli’s batting style, walk, expressions, and on-field aggression.
“He considers Virat Kohli like a god,” his father added. “He watches him constantly and tries to copy everything—from the way he walks to how he holds the bat.”
A Child Who Sleeps with His Cricket Kit
Gavit’s love for cricket goes far beyond practice sessions. After returning from the academy, family members usually place his cricket kit aside. But Gavit insists on bringing it into his bedroom.
“He sleeps with his cricket kit around him,” his father shared. “He keeps his bat, pads, and gloves close while sleeping. Even at this young age, his dedication to cricket is unbelievable.”
Fame in Vadodara, Curiosity Back Home
During their stay in Vadodara, Gavit experienced something entirely new—instant recognition. People stopped him in markets, asked for selfies, and called him “Junior Virat.” Many did not even know his real name.
Back in Haryana, the recognition is still growing, but those who have seen the viral clips instantly recognize him as the boy who resembles Virat Kohli.
The Child Who Left a Legend Amazed
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is that virat kohli himself acknowledged the resemblance. In a world full of celebrity lookalikes, very few receive recognition directly from the star they resemble. Gavit Uttam did—and at just eight years old.
His family never imagined that a simple trip to watch a cricket match would change their lives overnight. What they believed was merely a family joke about resemblance turned into a national talking point.
Profile: Viral ‘Junior Virat Kohli’
- Name: Gavit Uttam
- Date of Birth: 20 April 2017
- Age: 8 years
- Place of Birth: Panchkula, Haryana
- Education: Class 3
- School: Saint Soldiers School, Panchkula
Read also: Vaibhav Suryavanshi Sets U-19 World Cup Stage Ablaze with Explosive Batting Ahead of 2026 Tournament
A Moment That Cricket Fans Will Remember
In a sport driven by statistics, records, and trophies, moments like these remind fans why cricket holds such an emotional place in Indian culture. A young boy meeting his idol, being recognized by him, and unintentionally becoming a symbol of nostalgia for fans who remember Virat Kohli’s early days—it’s a story that resonates far beyond the boundary ropes.
Whether Gavit Uttam grows up to become a professional cricketer or chooses another path, one thing is certain: his meeting with virat kohli in Vadodara has already etched his name into the hearts of cricket lovers across the country-and across the world.
And for millions of fans, the image of a smiling Virat Kohli standing beside his real-life “carbon copy” will remain one of the most wholesome moments in modern cricket history.
