My Forever Admired Cricketing Idol- 18

Like most youngsters, I too fell for the world’s most handsome and talented genius — Mr. Cheeku!!!

I never imagined that I would one day go crazy about cricket, because the last page of my newspaper was never even touched. If I remember correctly, I watched a match sometime around 2009–10, and I prayed to the universe for India to win. Trust me, I had zero knowledge about cricket back then — but still, I prayed.

Before I knew it, I started reading my newspaper from the last page. I began reading every article about him in all the newspapers our library subscribed to. I even got my own newspaper subscription — a luxury during my school days.

Within a short span of time, I had an entire book exclusively for Virat, filled with cut-outs from newspapers, magazines, and even some printed photos. I was so crazy about him that I used to write imaginary conversations between us. I truly enjoyed every second of creating that souvenir. Without even realizing it, I ended up with an email ID that had his name in it — maddyvirat***@*****.com! Believe me, I was so proud of sharing that email ID back then! My Facebook account was also run under the same name. The entire school kind of knew about my madness!!!

I started watching IPL, and I became the most passionate girl cricket lover in my family. I always watched matches with my father, while my sisters never really cared about cricket. I became so invested in him that whenever he scored a century and made it to the front page, I would feel like the happiest soul in the whole universe.

He made me watch ODIs, helped me understand T20s, made me enjoy Test matches, and made me emotionally attached to RCB!!! I really can't express in words what that feeling meant to me back then — or what it still means now.

Over time, I realized that one day he would retire. But honestly, it didn’t affect me much back then — maybe because I refused to accept that it could ever really happen. So, I didn’t hold anything back. I just enjoyed cricket for as long as I could.

Watching him play ignited a tiny dream inside me — to see him live someday. I even thought I’d marry someone who would help fulfill that dream. I was so caught up in all those emotions and never wanted to step out of that comfort zone. I supported him, cherished him, admired him every single day. Win or lose, it didn’t matter — the man himself was what mattered to me. I just wanted to see him smile. During the IPL, I used to sleep peacefully on the nights we won — just because of that charming smile.

Everything about him was so special to me. I started using products he endorsed. I even fought with my sisters for the Boost cup — the one where his image would appear when you poured something hot into it. I’ve done so many things like that. The funny part is, he even became a reason for boys to talk to me — just to get close to me. That’s how mad I was!!!

I even tried writing to him on Instagram — on his birthday, my birthday, or whenever he lost a match — hoping my tiny message would reach him. But it never did. Still, I was overjoyed when he became captain, emotional when he married Anushka (the best decision of his life), frustrated at the senseless trolls, and heartbroken when he stepped down as captain from T20Is and RCB. I’ve felt every possible emotion for him.

Even writing this now makes my throat tighten with emotion. I always knew he would retire when it was truly time, and that he would never look back. But deep down, I wasn’t even 0.1% ready to accept it.

When we won the 2024 World Cup, I was overjoyed — and to top it off, VK was the Player of the Match. It was pure, boundless happiness. But then, in just a second, he broke that joy by announcing his retirement from T20Is… I was lost. I wasn’t even in this world. I was devastated. But I consoled myself thinking, "It’s okay, at least he’ll still play in the IPL."

When I heard the news that cricket was being included in the Olympics and that he was the face of that event, it gave me some comfort. I was sad he wouldn’t be playing, but I was proud that he helped make cricket famous enough to reach that level.

The best part of 2025? We won the Champions Trophy.

The worst part? The retirement chain. First Rohit… and then, a few days later — bam! Kohli announced his. I really thought I would get over it in time. But the day he announced it, I didn’t even open social media. I just sat there binge-watching a show, with tears silently
rolling down my face. It’s been getting harder and harder for me to accept that he will no longer be seen in whites.

I always thought I was the strongest woman — that nothing could shake me so easily. But now, I don’t even have the courage to look at those congratulatory posts that are flooding in.

It’s not easy, Virat!!!

I know it’s your personal decision, and I respect that — but we deserved one last great game from you!

And you deserved a proper, heartfelt farewell!

Then why did you choose to leave everything behind, breaking so many hearts?

I just wanted to see you play one last time — with that fire, that intensity, that aggressiveness in whites!

I love you, Virat.

But you broke me — just like they say, “the one who loves the most, ends up getting hurt the most.”

#269 signing off💔