‘I’ll touch his feet’ - PBKS’ Vishal Nishad shares unique celebration plan for Virat Kohli’s wicket

Punjab Kings’ latest recruit, Vishal Nishad, has revealed how he would react if he gets the chance to dismiss his cricketing idol, Virat Kohli, in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The 20-year-old youngster, who was picked up by the Shreyas Iyer-led franchise at the mini-auction ahead of the upcoming season, spoke candidly about his admiration for Kohli and his dream moment on the big stage. 

Nishad said that Kohli’s attitude and drive have been a major influence on his journey, underlining how the former India captain helped shape his cricketing ambitions. When asked how the youngster would celebrate if he managed to take Kohli’s wicket, Nishad offered a humble and respectful answer. 

“My idol is Virat Kohli. I am inspired by his attitude and his drive; he’s my favourite. If I take his wicket, I’ll touch his feet because he’s my idol,” he replied during an interaction via Punjab Kings. 

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Nishad’s rise to the IPL is rooted in perseverance and family support. He recalled times when he helped his father with work and even considered quitting the sport. 

“There were tough times. I used to go with my father and help him [with work]. I even thought I’d quit cricket,” he said. “My mother told me to leave it and learn something else because becoming a cricketer is so difficult. But I didn’t give up. I told her, ‘Mom, I will definitely do it.’ Once they saw my resolve, my family stood behind me,” he said.  

Nishad also explained how he transitioned from tennis-ball cricket to the professional game. A friend, impressed by his natural throwing action, encouraged him to try the leather ball. The 20-year-old leg spinner was bought by the PBKS in the auction for a base price of INR 30 lakh, after going unsold in the first round of the IPL auction 2026. 

“Initially, I played tennis-ball cricket. A friend watched me throw and suggested I try the leather ball because he liked my action. After that, I decided to practice seriously. That’s how it all started. As I was practising with the tennis ball initially, I got used to making it spin. I adapted my tennis-ball skills to the leather ball, which played a major role in me becoming a bowler,” Nishad revealed.

IPL 2026 is set to kick off in March and Vishal will be hoping to help his side go the distance in the upcoming season.