‘Started Watching Cricket Because of Him’: Shehnaaz Gill Reveals Her Inspiration, Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli’s influence extends far beyond cricket, captivating not only sports fans but also celebrities who admire his passion, grit, and unmatched energy.

Among his admirers is actress and singer Shehnaaz Gill, who recently revealed that she began watching cricket solely because of the Indian batting legend. In a teaser from an upcoming YouTube podcast hosted by Ranveer Allahabadia, Shehnaaz spoke about her admiration for Kohli, describing how his presence on the field drew her into the sport. “Mene cricket Virat Kohli ki wajah se hi start kiya tha dekhna (I started watching cricket because of Virat Kohli),” she said, smiling as she recalled what impressed her the most.

“I like his style of playing, his attitude, and the way he stands his ground in tough moments. There’s an aura about him — that’s why the entire world loves Virat Kohli,” she added, praising his charisma and determination.

This isn’t the first time Shehnaaz has openly expressed her admiration for Kohli. During a rapid-fire round on Curly Tales, when asked whom she would date, hang out with, or ditch among Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya, she instantly chose Kohli for all three categories. “Date, hang out and ditch — sab Virat Kohli ke saath (everything with Virat Kohli),” she had said playfully.

The Bigg Boss 13 star, who has since carved a successful career in music and film, is currently promoting her latest release, Ikk Kudi. Meanwhile, Kohli — who recently returned to Team India for the ODI series against Australia after a five-month break — is set to lead the batting charge again in the upcoming three-match series against South Africa, beginning November 30.