Published Nov 05, 2022 | 3:28 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 05, 2022 | 3:57 PM
Cricket supporters in Hyderabad have placed a 50 feet cutout of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. (Supplied)
While wishes across the world are pouring for India’s talismanic cricketer Virat Kohli’s birthday on Saturday, 5 November, supporters in Hyderabad have come up with a new way to show their love for him.
The fans have unveiled a 50-foot cutout of the Indian batsman in the Himayatnagar area if the city.
The cutout dwarves those of football stars Lionel Messi (30 feet) and Neymar Jr (40 feet) at Pullavoor — a village in the Kozhikode district of Kerala.
The former Indian team captain, who is currently a part of the squad featuring in the eighth edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, turned 34.
Nicknamed Cheeku by his teammates, Kohli was born in 1988 in New Delhi.
The cut-out of Virat Kohli in Hyderabad for celebrating his birthday. pic.twitter.com/b3UNRst80c
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 4, 2022
As a way of showing love and support to the sportsperson, this cutout is said to be the biggest of its kind for a cricketer.
The 50-foot cutout is located beside the Sudarshan theatre at Himayatnagar in Hyderabad.
As per the supporters on social media, a grand celebration commemorating the cricketer’s birthday was scheduled at 5 pm on Saturday at the venue.
And things do not end here. A 40-foot poster has also been installed by Kohli supporters in the Vijayawada district of Andhra Pradesh.
Virat Kohli has both stats and streets. From Vijaywada to Hyderabad, his birthday is celebrated like a festival across country. #HappyBirthdayViratKohli pic.twitter.com/rXuJWuObpP
— feryy (@ffspari) November 4, 2022
It reads: “Happy Birthday King Kohli”.
Meanwhile, a 40-foot cutout has been placed by Kohli fans in West Bengal.
Virat Kohli's cutout in West Bengal. pic.twitter.com/8McoUmspUK
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 5, 2022
Known as a run machine in the cricket fraternity, Kohli has regained his form this season.
After an indomitable display with the bat at the 2022 Asia Cup in the UAE and against Australia on the home turf, he has scored three 50s in the tournament so far.
Shattering another record, Kohli went past former Sri Lanka cricketer Mahela Jayawardene for the most runs scored in the men’s T20 World Cup history.
He has scored 1,065 runs in 25 matches, while the Lankan had 1,016 runs in 31 games to his name.
They are the only batsmen to feature in the 1,000-run club in ICC T20 World Cups.
Meanwhile, India faces Zimbabwe on 6 November in a crucial game, which is also the last group match.
Here are some of the other posts of celebrations fans held for Virat Kohli’s birthday:
https://twitter.com/SgrYdv2/status/1588819971387580417
Virat Kohli fans celebrating the birthday of their idol. pic.twitter.com/MLvP7OJrMx
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 4, 2022
