Star India batter Virat Kohli opened up on Sunday about his bond with Serbian tennis celebrity Novak Djokovic and the way their journey of friendship and mutual admiration began. In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Virat stated that his talks with Djokovic began when he occurred to test his textual content to him by probability, after as soon as attempting to say “hello” to the star tennis participant. “I got in touch with Novak very organically. I was just looking at his Instagram profile once and happened to press his “Message” button. I assumed I’d say him ‘Hello, possibly.’ Then I noticed a message from him on my DM already. I by no means noticed it myself.

“The first time I saw my own messages, I saw that he had messaged me himself. Then I was like, Let’s check if it is a fake account or not. But then I checked it and it was legitimate. Then we started talking, exchanging messages every now and then. I would congratulate him on all of his fantastic achievements,” recalled Virat.

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Virat stated that when he bought his fiftieth ODI century in the course of the ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal in opposition to New Zealand final yr, Djokovic despatched him a pleasant message and put up a narrative for him, congratulating him.

“There has been mutual admiration and respect. It is nice to connect with global athletes who are excelling at a high level. Collectively, it is sending out a message of inspiration to the next generation in a way,” stated Virat.

Virat stated that he has a variety of respect for Djokovic, his journey as a participant, and his ardour for health. He expressed hope of assembly the Serbian icon quickly.

“I have a lot of respect for him and his journey; his passion for fitness is something I follow and believe in myself. So there is a lot to connect on. Hopefully, when he comes to India or if I happen to be in a country where he is playing, I will catch up with him and just chill out and have a cup of coffee,” stated Virat.

Talking a few latest viral video of the Australian batter enjoying tennis with Djokovic, which additionally noticed the multi-time Grand Slam champion attempt his hand at cricket, Virat stated that Djokovic is best at swinging a bat than cricketers are at swinging a racquet.

“I think Steve did well to return his serve. When you play cricket and have hand-eye coordination, you feel tempted to say, “Yeah, I can do that (play racquet sports activities). But I’ve seen racquet sports activities and how briskly these serves are. So I’ve no probability with it. It can be good to do this (play tennis) with him as nicely. The solely factor I can possibly train him is the best way to maintain a bat,” said Virat.

In the end, Virat wished Djokovic the very best for the Australian Open, where Djokovic is defending his men’s singles title. He also told Djokovic that Australia is personally his favourite place to play cricket and the tennis star will enjoy the support from the Aussie crowd.

“Novak I wish to want you the perfect for the Australian Open. I understand how excited and ready you might be for these massive occasions, these grand slams. I’ve little doubt that we’ll see Djokovic we now have seen through the years. I hope you’ve gotten an ideal event. Australia is a stunning place to go to and play a event. It is my favorite place to play cricket. The love and help from Australians is one thing nice, as they recognize true sportsmanship and fierce competitors, which you’ve gotten in abundance,” he concluded.

Ahead of the tournament, starting on Sunday, Djokovic had also talked about his bond with Virat and described a trip to India.

Speaking to Sony Sports Network, Djokovic said, “Virat Kohli and I’ve been texting slightly bit for just a few years and we by no means bought the prospect to fulfill in individual. But it was actually a privilege and honour to hearken to him communicate properly about me and I clearly admire his profession, and achievement and every part he has achieved.”

“I’ve been to India solely as soon as to this point in my life. It was, I feel, 10 or 11 years in the past. I got here to play an exhibition occasion in New Delhi for 2 days. It was a really quick keep. So, I actually hope that I will come again within the close to future, too, as a result of I’ve an ideal want and an ideal want to discover your stunning nation, which has a lot historical past, a lot tradition to supply the world and a lot spirituality as nicely. It is superb,” the 36-year-old continued.

Both Djokovic and Virat are the legends of their sports activities. Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion, probably the most by a male tennis star. If he wins his record-extending eleventh Australian Open title, this can be his twenty fifth Grand Slam title, which can break the report of Australia’s Margaret Court, who additionally has 24 main titles.

Virat, alternatively, has gained the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy with India. He is the one participant to have smashed 50 ODI centuries. He has additionally gained ‘Player of the Tournament’ within the ICC T20 World Cup 2014 and 2016 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India for his exceptional batting performances.

He was additionally topped the ‘ICC Cricketer of the Decade’ in 2020.

In 520 matches, he has scored 26,704 runs (8,848 in Tests, 13,848 in ODIs and 4,008 in T20Is) at a mean of 54.27 throughout all codecs, with 80 centuries and 139 fifties. His greatest rating is 254*. He is the fourth-highest run-getter in worldwide cricket historical past and is chasing legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s mark of 100 worldwide centuries and 34,357 runs.

India will tackle Afghanistan within the second T20I at Indore and Virat can be making his return to T20Is after greater than a yr following India’s crushing loss to England within the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal by 10 wickets.

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