Virat Kohli keeps proving that his greatness isn’t limited to runs and records, but that it’s also about respect.
After India’s four-wicket win over New Zealand at the BCA Stadium, Kohli once again took
time to acknowledge the game’s unsung heroes, patiently posing for photos with ground staff long after the match had ended.
KING KOHLI, A HEART OF GOLD..!!!! ♥️🥹
– Virat Kohli came and sat on the ground to clicked pictures with ground staff at Baroda yesterday.
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 12, 2026
The night had already been significant for the 37-year-old. During the first ODI, Kohli became the fastest batter in history to reach 28,000 international runs across formats, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list.
Another milestone, another reminder of his longevity and brilliance.
Yet the story could have been even bigger. Kohli fell heartbreakingly short of what would have been his 85th international century, dismissed for a superb 93 off 91 balls, laced with eight fours and a six. True to reputation, he anchored the chase with authority, setting the platform alongside Shubman Gill (56) and Shreyas Iyer (49) before late cameos from KL Rahul and Harshit Rana carried India past the 301-run target in 49 overs.
While the crowd may have hoped for a century, they still got their money’s worth — a classic Kohli chase and another reminder of why he remains cricket’s ultimate run-getter under pressure.
What followed only enhanced the moment. As players headed off, Kohli stayed back, smiling and posing for group photos with the ground staff — a quiet but meaningful tribute to those who work behind the scenes to make matchdays possible.
It’s a gesture he has repeated across venues and tournaments: from the Arun Jaitley Stadium during Ranji Trophy action, to Jaipur in IPL 2024, Kolkata during the 2023 World Cup, and Kanpur in 2024, where his calm, respectful interactions drew widespread praise.
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