Punjab Kings (PBKS) new addition Vishal Nishad has opened up about the impact of Virat Kohli on his cricketing journey. The leg-spinner revealed how Kohli inspired him to chase his dream despite tough circumstances.
Speaking about Kohli’s influence, Nishad said that, for him, the talismanic batter is more than just a role model. “My idol is Virat Kohli. I am inspired by his attitude and his drive; he’s my favourite,” Nishad told ANI during a pre-season camp in Udaipur.
The 20-year-old rookie was acquired by PBKS for INR 30 lakh during the IPL 2026 auction. Nishad shared his dream of dismissing Virat Kohli and said, “If I take his wicket, I’ll touch his feet because he’s my idol.”
Nishad recalled how he started playing cricket, saying, “Initially, I played tennis-ball cricket. A friend watched me bowl and suggested that I try the leather ball because he liked my action. After that, I decided to practise seriously. That’s how it all started.”
The UP-based cricketer also opened up about how he was picked in the IPL.
“My coach didn’t charge me any fees for three years. Eventually, I played in a local T20 tournament in Uttar Pradesh and performed well. After two years of playing in the tournament, I ended up here with Punjab Kings,” he said.
In this year’s IPL, Nishad will benefit from working with Yuzvendra Chahal and under the mentorship of Ricky Ponting.
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