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'It Was A Special Moment'- When Fangirl Shreyanka Patil Met Virat Kohli in Her Teens

image-lrkdyukrShreyanka Patil (L) with Virat Kohli (R). (X.com)

Talismanic Indian batter Virat Kohli serves as an inspiration to many budding and active cricketers around the globe. He is revered as a source of motivation for young individuals and a role model due to the values he embodies: hard work, devotion, and tenacity. Among the inspired individuals is Shreyanka Patil, an all-rounder for the Indian women’s team and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). It was in 2018 when Shreyanka met her hero Virat Kohli at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

The desire for a photograph with Kohli stemmed from the values he epitomizes – a relentless work ethic, unwavering dedication, and indomitable tenacity. Kohli's on-field vigor, his refusal to succumb to challenges, and the never-give-up attitude have left a big mark on aspiring cricketers globally, and Shreyanka is no exception.

Shreyanka's fangirl moment with Kohli

"My father’s friend worked with the RCB management, and I said that I wanted a picture with Virat Kohli as he has been my inspiration. So, I finished practicing for my state and went to the Chinnaswamy. Then he came and took the phone to click a selfie. And I was like ‘Wow’. I did not get a chance to talk to him then, which I did later, but it was a special moment to start off." 

Though Shreyanka may not yet be a widely recognized name, her cricketing journey has been nothing short of remarkable. In the past year, she has risen as a beacon of inspiration for emerging cricketers nationwide. Notably, she became the first Indian player to participate in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), representing the Guyana Amazon Warriors and finishing as the highest wicket-taker in the second edition of the WCPL.

Shreyanka's breakthrough came in the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League (WPL), where she stood out as a breakout star for RCB, where she emerged as the leading wicket-taker for the Bangalore-based franchise with six wickets in seven matches. She continued her great form in international cricket as well as she earned the Player of the Match title against England in her debut series for the Indian team. Despite the challenges and pressures that come with professional cricket, Shreyanka has displayed resilience, establishing herself as a rising star in the cricketing arena.

As the 21-year-old Karnataka all-rounder continues to ascend in her cricketing journey, her future promises a prolonged and illustrious career, with the potential to reach even greater heights. Shreyanka's story is only in its early chapters, but her trajectory suggests that her cricketing ceiling is remarkably high.