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Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma can't resist as RCB star hugs Krunal Pandya's son, pulls his cheeks in viral moment: Watch

Virat Kohli hugged his RCB teammate Krunal Pandya's son and pulled his cheeks in excitement.

Updated on: Jun 1, 2026, 06:08:33 IST
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Virat Kohli was extremely excited as his eyes lay on Krunal Pandya's son. Kohli was with Anushka Sharma on the field at the Narendra Modi Stadium after Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. While Kohli and Anushka waited for the post-match presentation, Krunal walked past holding his son and was stopped by Kohli and Anushka.

Virat Kohli meets Krunal Pandya's son. (Instagram)
Virat Kohli meets Krunal Pandya's son. (Instagram)

Kohli immediately hugged his RCB teammate's son and pulled his cheeks in excitement. The former RCB skipper also exchanged some words with the boy as Anushka stood, watching in amusement.

Also Read: Virat Kohli limps while running between wickets after smashing his fastest IPL fifty: ‘Don’t remember the last time…’

Here is the video of Virat Kohli meeting Krunal Pandya's son:

The collapse soon continued as Nishan Sindhu (20) and Jos Buttler (19) failed to build on their starts. Despite Washington Sundar remaining unbeaten with a 37-ball 50, the batting order totally crumbled.

Arshad Khan (15), Rahul Tewatia (7), Jason Holder (7) and Rashid Khan (7) flopped with the bat. Meanwhile, Rasikh Salam took a three-wicket haul for RCB. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets each as RCB restricted GT to 155/8 in 20 overs.

Chasing 156 runs, RCB got off to a strong start, courtesy of Venkatesh Iyer's quickfire 16-ball 32, as he took on the opposition in his short onslaught in the powerplay, slamming four fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Kohli took up the anchor role. Although GT did respond, removing Devdutt Padikkal (1) and Rajat Patidar (15), Krunal Pandya (1) inside nine overs. But Tim David's arrival saw RCB build a partnership between him and Kohli.

Kohli also reached his fastest IPL fifty, off just 25 balls. David eventually departed for 24 off 17 balls. But Kohli kept up the momentum, eventually taking RCB to 161/5 in 18 overs, with an unbeaten 42-ball 75, packed with nine fours and three sixes. For GT, Rashid Khan took two wickets.

Kohli was also adjudged as the Player of the Match. Speaking after the game, he said, "Well, it’s the stuff that you dream of. I’ve thought of this moment many times, that, you know, once when we win the IPL, I should be standing there hitting the winning runs and tonight it was possible. So yeah, just a dream day for us. And as I mentioned straight after the game as well, we just felt really relaxed coming to the game today and really confident about how we wanted to go about our game and what kind of team we have. And that gives you confidence to just, you know, see any kind of situation through."

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti

Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.

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