Novak Djokovic Credits Virat Kohli for His Cricket Obsession

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has revealed that Virat Kohli is the key reason he started following cricket. Before meeting the Indian cricket icon, Djokovic was indifferent to the sport, but Kohli's influence changed that. Speaking on Times Now ahead of the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, Djokovic expressed his admiration for Kohli and hopes to catch up with him during his upcoming trip to India.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, described Kohli as a friend and someone he respects deeply. He’s eager to blend some tennis with cricket fun when they meet, aiming to spread positive vibes through their shared love of sport. While Djokovic has dominated tennis, Kohli remains a pivotal figure in cricket, currently shining for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

As RCB chases another IPL title, Kohli is in top form, with 247 runs from six innings at an average of 49.40. He’s currently the third-highest run-scorer this season, trailing only Heinrich Klaasen and Shubman Gill. Kohli's next challenge comes against the Gujarat Titans at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 24, and fans can’t wait to see how he performs.