Watch: Joshua Da Silva’s mother was moved to tears after meeting Virat Kohli, described by her as “one of the best batsmen in our lifetime”.
In a heartwarming video, Da Silva’s mother, a bonafide Kohli fan, hugged and embraced the cricketer after day two of the second Test between India and West Indies. The cricketer was seen exchanging pleasantries with her as he was walking towards the team bus on Friday (July 21), on a day he also equalled Don Bradman’s feat of scoring 29 Test hundreds.
The day was a memorable one for the Da Silva clan, with Joshua, also a big Kohli fan, later describing the meeting between his mother and the player. “My mum told me a few days before the Test match that she’s coming [to the match] to see Virat Kohli and not me. So, I found that funny and I had to tell him that on the stump mic, so it might go into his ears.
“He was in the bus [after the day’s play] and my mum goes, ‘Look at him’. So I went and knocked on the window and met my mom and made her day. Made her year probably.”
Earlier in the day, Da Silva was heard telling Kohli to get to his hundred quickly on the stump mic.
Da Silva’s mother later recalled the short meeting, and expressed her delight at having been present at the venue on the day Kohli made a hundred. “Kohli is one of the best batsmen in our lifetime. So it is an honour for me to meet him and my son to be on the same field as him.
“When he made his hundred, I stood up and clapped, because that was like, he made a hundred in our ground, in our country. It was so emotional.”
She also hoped that Joshua would go on to emulate Kohli. “I told Joshua that I was coming to this game just to see Virat Kohli and not him because I see him every day. That was the first time I met Virat Kohli and he was wonderful as he is – a beautiful, blessed human being. He is so talented and I hope my son emulates him.”
Watch the meeting here:
🚨 Exclusive@imVkohli made for a very special moment for @joshuadasilva08’s family last night. Moments that make sport truly beautiful. @debasissen witnessed it from close. This is what makes cricket what it is. A story for every Virat Kohli fan.@Wowmomo4u #WIvsIND pic.twitter.com/PkvNWvsSOZ
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) July 22, 2023