Virat Kohli’s nickname “Chiku” has an amusing backstory rooted in his early days in cricket, and it reflects the camaraderie and playful side of his journey. This story goes back to his teenage years when he was a young player for the Delhi state team.
Around the age of 13 or 14, Kohli was playing for Delhi in junior-level cricket tournaments. Like most young cricketers, he wanted to look his best and went for a new haircut.
However, the haircut didn’t quite go as he expected. Instead of a fresh look, the cut left his head looking round and somewhat unusual. His hair was cut very short, making his head appear more rounder than usual.
At the time, Kohli’s Delhi state coach, Ajit Chaudhary, noticed the haircut. Chaudhary, who was known for his sharp sense of humor and easygoing nature, immediately found a humorous comparison.
He jokingly remarked that young Kohli’s new look resembled a character from the Indian children’s comic series Champak. This character was a rabbit named “Chiku” who had large, round cheeks and ears, giving him a round-faced appearance. Chaudhary thought Kohli’s new haircut made him look like Chiku, and he decided to call him that as a friendly tease.
Kohli didn’t mind the name, and over time, he even embraced it. His friends, teammates, and coaches began calling him “Chiku” regularly, and it became an endearing and familiar moniker for him within his close circle.
As Kohli’s cricketing journey progressed, he moved up the ranks, first playing for Delhi in domestic cricket and eventually representing India on the international stage. The nickname “Chiku” followed him, and even when he was in the national spotlight, his old friends and mentors still used it.
Kohli’s teammates in the Indian team also adopted the nickname. It was especially popular among senior players who had known him since his entry into the squad. The nickname even became public knowledge when MS Dhoni, former Indian captain, called him “Chiku” on the stump mic during a match.
Fans who were listening to the broadcast heard the nickname, and it quickly became a talking point among fans and media alike. This was the moment the name went truly viral, and it became known to millions of cricket fans worldwide.
