Virat Kohli’s wicket is cricket’s holy grail for bowlers worldwide. Add Punjab Kings’ Vishal Nishad to the list, but with a twist—the 20-year-old vows to honor his role model by touching his feet post-dismissal.
Speaking from Udaipur, Nishad laid bare his devotion. ‘Kohli inspired my cricket journey. Love his attitude and those flawless drives. He’s number one for me.’ If fate grants that showdown, respect will follow the roar.
His rise defies odds. Shoulder-to-shoulder with his father in tough times, cricket seemed a luxury. ‘I almost quit,’ he admitted. Mom’s pragmatic advice: ‘Learn a trade.’ Nishad’s retort? ‘Watch me win.’ Family support surged thereafter.
Tennis balls honed his arm until a pal intervened: ‘Leather awaits your talent.’ Embracing the shift, a generous coach waived fees for three years. Local T20 leagues rewarded his grind—two years of dominance propelled him to Punjab Kings.
Repurposing tennis spin for pro cricket crafted his unique style. Nishad’s narrative fuels aspiring talents everywhere, promising fireworks in IPL 2026.