Virat Kohli received a warm welcome in the city of Vadodara, where he was mobbed by the fans right after he arrived in the city before the start of the ODI series between India and New Zealand. What was supposed to be a normal entry soon became a nightmare. Outside the airport, hundreds of fans were present. They were willing to get a glimpse of the previous India captain.
The crowd pressed ahead as soon as Kohli went out. Loud cheers filled the air. His name was constantly shouted by the fans. Most of them raised their mobile phones to capture the moment. Nevertheless, the situation soon became hard to control. Rush security guards came in to form a protective circle around him.
At first, Kohli attempted to pass the crowd in a cool manner. He smiled briefly. He recognized fans by waving. But before many seconds had elapsed, the crowd had been hastened into a converging mass. Some tried to take selfies. Some just wanted to be able to touch him. Consequently, Kohli seemed distinctly embarrassed a little.
In the meantime, the leaders of police departments could not cope with the circumstances. Barricades were not enough. The very number of people spoiled the security measures. Even with the best efforts, the fans did not give up. At some point, Kohli was rushed to his car to prevent further exposure.
Interestingly, this accident once again pointed out the popularity of Kohli, which could not be compared to anything. His fan following is gigantic even after he departs from captaincy. People follow him wherever he goes. Vadodara was no different. Actually, the response indicated the level of attachment the fans have towards him.
In addition, his arrival was timely, which increased the excitement. The Indian team was preparing to have a big ODI series. There were high expectations in the first place. People were also ready to watch Kohli play. His new look in the limited-overs game in the world of cricket has been spectacular. That was merely a stimulating factor.
Meanwhile, the video of the accident was spread on social media. The clips also depicted Kohli being flanked by fans everywhere. Reactions poured in quickly. Although most people commended the love that was displayed by the fans, some expressed their concerns about the safety of the player. A number of users have indicated that there should be more crowd control.
This was, however, not a single case. During the recent months, Kohli has received mobbing in various cities by fans. The same was observed in Bengaluru and Mumbai. Security teams were forced to intervene fast every time. The passion of fans, however, keeps increasing.
Kohli managed the situation calmly in the middle of all this. He did not lose his temper. He remained calm throughout. This action also enhanced his reputation as a down-to-earth superstar. His patience and humility, even during challenging times, were admired by the fans.
Conversely, officials will be able to reconsider security measures. Controlling the mass of people who attend the games of high-profile players has become a difficult task. Safety without limiting fan interaction is quite a challenge. Such cases emphasize the need to do more serious planning.
Kohli eventually made it to his hotel. The immediate danger passed. But the buzz about his arrival went on all hours. The updates continued to be distributed on news sites, fan pages, and cricket forums. Vadodara was still in a partying mood.
To sum up, though, the event again demonstrated the larger-than-life presence of Kohli in Indian cricket. Fan love can be too intense. However, it is an indication of the emotional attachment that people have to the game and its heroes. Such instances are the subject of discussion even after the game. Until further notice, there is one picture, which cannot be forgotten: Virat Kohli being mobbed by Vadodara fans. It is a strong reminder of his everlasting stardom.
