[Watch] IPL 2026: Virat Kohli inaugurates West Delhi academy with childhood coach, video melts hearts

An evening ago, during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Virat Kohli completed 9000 runs in the history of the competition as the visitors won the game in the 76-run chase in just 6.3 overs. 

It has been a superb career for Virat Kohli, who started his career at this ground and has impressed the world with his incredible ability with the bat over the years. And it was a fitting moment for him to return to the grassroots and earn the incredible record. 

Kohli reunites with childhood coach at special moment

The star batter inaugurated a cricket academy run by his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma. He inaugurated a branch of the West Delhi Cricket Academy at the DPS RK Puram in New Delhi, where his coach was present at the event.

He also spoke to the students during the inauguration, asking them to respect their learning space and stay focused on the extreme goals.  

Watch the video here: 

“Thank you for having me. I'm not used to speaking in schools, so this is going to be a bit awkward for me because I moved away from the school setup long ago for cricket, and that's what I'm going to talk about. I understand the environment of a school.” Kohli said in the interaction.  

“I've been through the same process and stage that all you kids are a part of right now. And I can share from my own experience how my focus and priority changed very early on in my life.” The former Indian batter addressed.

Kohli also advised the students to be clear about their goals, besides reflecting that he started to train at the academy when he was just eight and still visits it whenever possible.

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“What I want to say is, a school is a place where you come to learn, you come to grow, you become better people. Have respect and regard for that environment first. For your teachers, for the people who are teaching you.” The right-handed batter added.

“I started practicing when I was eight years old, and I continue to come to the academy whenever I get time. And it's a big part of my childhood, and I hope all the kids that come to learn cricket here can value it, can learn something from the academy.” He concluded.

Fans love emotional gesture during IPL 2026

Here is how the fans have reacted to the emotional gesture of Kohli during the IPL 2026-