Team India’s superstar batter Virat Kohli has a famous nickname ‘Cheeku’. During an Instagram chat with former England batter Kevin Pietersen in September 2024, Kohli revealed how he got the interesting nickname. He told Pietersen that he got the nickname from a coach in the Ranji Trophy as he had big cheeks. The name was inspired from a cartoon character – the rabbit in the comic book ‘Champak’.
In 2018, Kohli had an interaction with Bollywood legend Aamir Khan, which was hosted by actor Aparshakti Khurana. During the chat, Aamir asked Kohli whether he had a nickname. The Indian cricketer replied that he had one, but held former captain MS Dhoni responsible for popularizing the nickname ‘Cheeku’.
Fans would recall that Dhoni often referred to Kohli as ‘Cheeku’ when instructing him or giving him options over bowling and fielding changes. Dhoni captained Kohli in white-ball cricket and then also played under the latter after giving up leadership.
It is no secret that Kohli and Dhoni have a lot of mutual admiration for each other. The former has openly showered praises on the veteran keeper-batter a number of times, hailing his genius as a cricketer. In a Star Sports interview in 2021, he yet again praised Dhoni and commented:
Kohli is expected to be seen in action when India take on England in the second ODI in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9. The 36-year-old missed the opening match of the series due to a swelling on his knee.
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