Udaipur, January 31: In the high-stakes world of cricket, few feats inspire awe like claiming Virat Kohli’s wicket. Yet, Punjab Kings’ rising star Vishal Nishad, a 20-year-old prodigy picked for IPL 2026, dreams not just of that moment but of honoring his idol in a deeply traditional way.
‘I worship Virat Kohli,’ Nishad declared with unwavering conviction. ‘If I ever get him out, I’ll touch his feet in respect right there on the field.’
This isn’t mere bravado from the young spinner. Kohli has been Nishad’s guiding light since childhood, shaping his aggressive mindset and elegant strokeplay preferences, especially those signature drives that slice through covers.
Nishad’s path from dusty local pitches in Uttar Pradesh to the glitzy IPL auction table is a testament to grit. He recalls the lean years vividly. ‘Life was tough. I’d help my father at his job, even contemplating quitting cricket altogether,’ he shared. His mother urged him to pivot to something stable, warning that professional cricket was a distant dream. But Nishad stood firm: ‘Mom, I’ll make it happen.’ That resolve flipped the script—his family rallied behind him.
It all sparked from tennis ball games. A friend’s nudge to try leather balls unlocked his potential. ‘He saw my throwing action and pushed me,’ Nishad recounted. Serious training followed, bolstered by a coach who trained him gratis for three years.
His breakthrough came in local T20 leagues, where consistent performances caught scouts’ eyes, landing him with Punjab Kings. Adapting tennis ball spin to professional leather bowling became his edge, fueling his journey as a crafty bowler.
As IPL 2026 looms, fans eagerly await if Nishad’s dream duel with Kohli materializes—and if that poignant gesture follows.