Indian cricket star Virat Kohli met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in London on Friday, with the meeting focusing on sports, infrastructure and encouraging young people to take up athletics.
Shinde shared details of the meeting on social media, saying Kohli came to meet him after learning that he was in London. He also praised the former India captain's simplicity despite his global stature.
The meeting reportedly covered several issues connected to the development of sports in Maharashtra.
Among the topics discussed were sports infrastructure, encouraging youngsters to pursue sports and promoting sporting talent. Kohli also shared experiences from his own journey in professional cricket, while Shinde spoke about the Maharashtra government's efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure and opportunities for young athletes.
The interaction was described as cordial, with both sides discussing ways to encourage a stronger sporting culture.
While the sporting conversation was the main focus, Shinde's comments about Kohli's demeanour also grabbed attention.
According to Shinde, Kohli came to meet him after learning that he was in London. Shinde praised the cricketer for remaining grounded despite his enormous popularity.
The Maharashtra minister described Kohli as a "king" while highlighting his simplicity.
The meeting comes at a time when governments across India are increasingly focusing on improving sporting infrastructure and creating pathways for young athletes beyond cricket.
For Maharashtra, the conversation around sports infrastructure is particularly significant given the state's large pool of athletes and sporting talent.
Kohli's involvement also brings the perspective of an athlete who has spent more than a decade at the highest level of international cricket.
While there was no announcement of a specific new project arising from the meeting, the discussion highlighted a broader push towards better sports facilities, youth participation and nurturing India's next generation of sporting talent.
For now, the London meeting has given fans something they probably didn't expect: Virat Kohli and Eknath Shinde sharing the same frame — with Maharashtra's sporting future on the agenda.
