England batter Haseeb Hameed has revealed how Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli supported him during a critical phase of his early career. The 27-year-old recalled the gesture from Kohli in 2016 when Hameed suffered a broken finger on his debut tour of India. Despite the injury ending his participation in the series, Kohli met the youngster, offered words of encouragement, and even shared his contact number.
Nicknamed ‘Baby Boycott’ for his solid technique, Hameed was seen as England’s next big thing. But injuries and form issues saw him fade away. The lowest point came when he was dropped by Lancashire in 2019 after a string of poor performances. Later, he was dropped again following the 2021–22 Ashes after scoring just 28 runs in three Tests.
However, Hameed said Kohli’s continued support helped him stay focused. “Virat has been super helpful. Every time I had any batting query, he gave his time freely. He has always been kind, humble, and supportive,” Hameed said in an interview with Hindustan Times.
Kohli’s Words and Hameed’s Revival in County Cricket
After leaving Lancashire, Hameed reinvented himself at Nottinghamshire, becoming one of their most dependable batters. In the 2023 county season, he scored 1,091 runs, and this year he already has 848 runs from nine matches, averaging 70.66.
He also shared how Kohli’s kindness has remained consistent. “He always responds quickly despite being one of the busiest people in world cricket. That says everything about his character,” said Hameed.
The English batter also credited other cricketers like Hashim Amla and Karun Nair for motivating him. His journey now serves as an example of resilience and the power of mentorship in sports.
From a promising debut cut short by injury to a difficult phase in domestic cricket, Hameed’s story is one of patience, self-belief, and the lasting impact of Kohli’s mentorship.
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