ছবি: Photo: Collected
In a rare and surprising turn of events, Australia's Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts turned into a fan when he rushed to meet Indian cricket star Virat Kohli during the ongoing India-Australia Test series. This happened as India celebrated their victory in the first Test, leading the series 1-0, and the Australian team was preparing for their next challenge.
On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese invited the Indian cricket team to the Parliament House, where the team had a chance to meet various dignitaries. Tim Watts, clearly a fan of Virat Kohli, took the opportunity to approach the former Indian captain for a photo. Kohli, who had recently scored a brilliant century in Perth, graciously agreed, and the two posed together for a picture. Watts later shared the moment on his social media with a heartfelt caption.
In his post, Watts expressed his excitement about meeting the Indian cricketers, particularly Kohli. "I am thrilled! The Australian Prime Minister invited the Indian team and the Prime Minister’s XI to the Parliament House. It was such a great opportunity to meet the Indian players. When I saw Kohli, I told him that I am a fan of the Royal Challengers Bangalore and a huge admirer of his. I didn’t want to miss the chance to take a photo with him," Watts wrote. He went on to praise Kohli's skills, stating that he prefers watching Kohli play over any other international cricketer. "Even when playing against Australia, I love watching him. He plays with the same intensity as the Australians," he added.
This unexpected encounter between the politician and the cricketer became a talking point, especially as it highlighted Kohli's widespread fanbase beyond just cricket enthusiasts. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket, has a massive following across the globe, and this meeting further solidified his popularity.
The Indian team, having won the first Test by a massive margin of 295 runs, now leads the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 1-0. India will be looking to extend their lead when the second Test begins on December 6 in Adelaide. Prior to that, the Indian team will play a practice match against the Prime Minister's XI starting on November 30.
This lighthearted yet significant interaction between an Australian politician and one of India’s biggest cricket stars serves as a reminder of how the game of cricket transcends borders and brings together people from all walks of life, regardless of their roles or professions.
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