Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma spark outrage by giving autograph and photo to Pakistani fan in Australia

Team India, including veteran batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, arrived in Australia for the upcoming white-ball series against the Mitchell Marsh-led side. Virat, one of the most admired cricketers in the world, signed an autograph on a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) jersey for a fan from Karachi, Pakistan.

The right-handed batter is set to make his first international appearance since India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory in the upcoming ODI series, beginning Sunday, October 19. While he has been included in the squad, speculation continues over whether he will play through to the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in Africa.

Virat Kohli Last Played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Virat Kohli, who currently resides in London with his family, returned to India for the first time since the IPL 2025 finale. Kohli last represented India in the Champions Trophy in Dubai and is making his return to the national team after nearly eight months.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

He played a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy campaign, finishing as the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 218 runs in five innings at an average of 54.50. India, led by Rohit Sharma, went unbeaten to claim the title.

The 36-year-old has retired from T20Is and Test cricket and now plays only in ODIs. Kohli’s ODI future was a major talking point ahead of India’s Australia tour squad announcement.

Watch: Virat Kohli Signs RCB Jersey for Fan from Karachi, Pakistan Ahead of ODI Series

In a video shared by RevSportz on X (formerly Twitter), Virat Kohli was spotted signing a Royal Challengers Bengaluru jersey for a fan from Karachi, Pakistan, outside a Perth hotel ahead of India’s ODI series against Australia.

Kohli, who was dressed in team gear, engaged with fans amid tight security. In the same video, the fan went on to take Rohit Sharma’s autograph on a Team India jersey.

The gesture drew widespread attention, sparking both celebration of his sportsmanship and debate, given the ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries.

🚨 A lucky fan of Virat Kohli from Karachi got his RCB jersey signed by the star batter. @rohitjuglan @ThumsUpOfficial #ViratKohli #TeamIndia #AUSvsIND #CricketFans pic.twitter.com/gujRTYbwee

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) October 16, 2025

Really Excited to See Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - Fan

The fan expressed excitement about seeing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He hoped that the duo would perform well and that India would win all three ODIs in the upcoming series.

"I have met them before. They were so humble. Even Rohit Bhai was inside. He came back and gave a sign and a picture. That's a lot. We are really excited to see both of them back in the squad together. Let’s see how this series goes; I hope they win all three matches."

Shubman Gill has taken over as India’s ODI captain, with Shreyas Iyer appointed vice-captain. The ODI series will begin at Perth Stadium on October 19, followed by the second and third ODIs on October 23 and 25. The tour will conclude with a five-match T20I series from October 29 to November 8.

Also read: Virat Kohli’s IPL future revealed by ex-RCB teammate!! Retirement confirmed?