[Watch] When Injured Shaheen Afridi Consoled An Out-Of-Form Virat Kohli

Shaheen Afridi had a friendly chat with Virat Kohli in August 2022 (x.com)Shaheen Afridi had a friendly chat with Virat Kohli in August 2022 (x.com)

Team India and Pakistan share one of the most intense and high-octane sporting rivalries in cricket. In the wake of prevailing geopolitical tensions shared by the two nations, coupled with the enmity both fan bases hold towards one another, India-Pakistan cricket matches often tend to produce adrenaline-pumping action on the field.

Notably, the same level of hostility is not necessarily shared by the players from both groups, as many cricketers from each side of the border often express their profound admiration for each other.

One of the most remarkable of such instances remains from the time when Pakistan quick Shaheen Afridi approached legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli and wished for a speedy recovery to form for the latter.

When Shaheen and Virat Kohli shared a friendly exchange

A couple of days prior to the launch of the Asia Cup in UAE back in August 2022, an injured Shaheen Afridi caught up with a training-bound Virat Kohli where the two shared a friendly chat with each other. As per a footage shared by the PCB later on the same day, it was revealed that Shaheen had wished Kohli for his swift return back to form.


In the lead up to the continental event, Virat Kohli found himself struggling for runs regardless of the format and opponents. The stars seem to have aligned perfectly for Kohli after his friendly interaction with Shaheen Afridi, as he smacked his drought-ending century against Afghanistan towards the business end of the competition.

Earlier that same year, then Pakistan captain Babar Azam also nearly broke the internet by wishing for a speedy recovery of prime Virat Kohli on social media. Taking to X, the legendary Pakistani batter wrote:

“This too shall pass, stay strong.”

Virat Kohli is currently the leading run-maker across all international formats among active players with nearly 27,000 runs. He is ranked fourth on the overall list and only second behind Sachin Tendulkar in terms of number of international centuries.

Quite recently, Kohli delivered a ‘Player of the Match’ performance in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph over South Africa.