The Asian Age

Kohli fan has 14 Virat tattoos

- AKSHAYA KUMAR SAHOO

Pintu Behera of Odisha is on cloud nine. His longcheris­hed dream has come true.

A die-hard fan of the Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, Pintu met his idol on the eve of India’s ongoing Test match against South Africa in Visakhapat­nam.

The hardcore Viran fan hailing from Masiakhali village under Kukudakhan­di tehsil in Ganjam district of Odisha went topless and displayed the tattoos to Virat during their meeting. He has 14 tattoos on his body that highlight Kohli’s career so far — Virat Kohli’s first name, his jersey number (18) as well as landmarks in his career including the 2008 Under-19 World Cup win, 2013 Arjuna Award and the 2017 Padma Shri.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Pintu said he never dreamt that a layman like him would ever be able to meet the

● Pintu Behera has 14 tattoos on his body that highlight Kohli’s career so far — Virat Kohli’s first name, his jersey number (18) as well as landmarks in his career including the 2008 Under-19 World Cup win, 2013 Arjuna Award and the 2017 Padma Shri

Virat Kohli poses with die-hard fan Pintu Behera, who has 14 tattoos on his body that highlight Kohli’s career so far, in Visakhapat­nam.

country’s cricket sensation. “Virat has many fans who express their love for the legend in many ways. I was just such a mere mad fan.

Never did I imagine that he would meet and hug me with so much of love and affection,” Pintu said, adding he has a virat (large) heart.

Virat Kohli met Pintu in Vizag Tuesday and hugged him. “This was one of the precious moments in my life. I had been waiting for this moment for more than three years. I still can’t believe this,” Pintu, a building contractor by profession, said.

“Virat is an amazing person. He not only hugged me but also posed for photograph­s. I pray to God that Virat, who is considered a run-scoring machine, sets many records,” Pintu said.

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