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The Buzz: Virat Kohli's lookalike enjoys celeb life
All the world's cricketers walked into a bar. The LOLs, the chatter, and the occasional mini-brawls, they were endless. And the news cycle was never the same again! Welcome to ESPNcricinfo's Social Buzz, your go-to destination for all the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond.
October 9
If you had any doubts about how pervasive celebrity culture could be, Saurabh Gade's life as Virat Kohli's lookalike should clear those up for you. A junior engineer with an earth-moving company, Gade has become a mini-celebrity because of his resemblance with the Indian captain, to the extent that earlier this year, he was invited by a local politician to attend a birthday function as, well, Virat Lite.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Gade, who hopes to meet Kohli during the Pune Test against South Africa, talked about how he started off in his unusual gig: "My friend in college used to say that I look like Kohli. One of my friends had taken a photo which was seen by one of the MLAs in Shirur. He called me and asked me to go to [a] rally as he knew the candidate."
Although the candidate ended up using the real Kohli's photos in his campaign hoardings, Gade's appearance cemented his fame and he started getting requests for autographs and photos wherever he went, including at the India-West Indies ODI in Pune last year.
"There were lots of people gathered around me and police came and said it could be law and order issue. They told me to go sit in the enclosure in the stands specifically reserved for physically disabled so that I can be a bit free. Two constables and an inspector too were there for my security. Later a top police officer called me over and asked for my picture!"
October 8
Where's Pakistan's bench strength? Younis Khan replies
Pakistan have lost the T20I series to a second-string Sri Lanka side, so naturally it's time for former players and experts to sharpen their knives. On Shoaib Akhtar's YouTube channel, discussing the defeat, broadcaster Nauman Niaz talks about the number of Indian batsmen fighting for slots in the XI and then asks: "Where's our bench strength?" Younis Khan, a guest on the show, laughs and lifts an empty chair, causing Niaz to exclaim: "It's empty!" (Watch from 0.20; the discussion is in Urdu).
Shoaib and Younis go on to talk about the need to pick the right sort of people to identify talent in the country and how it hurts to see their own players ignore them while other teams readily take batting and bowling advice from former Pakistan players.
Ajinkya Rahane welcomes first child
Yesterday, Ajinkya Rahane became the newest member of a rather ancient club - Rahane and his wife Radhika announced the birth of their baby girl on social media with a sweetly succinct post. Congratulations poured in, as did advice from more experienced players. Sachin Tendulkar had a few words on coming in at the end of day's play.
Rohit Sharma had some advice on batting in a whole new format.
Rohit Sharma
✔
@ImRo45
This will be the best innings you’ll play ever. Enjoy the time in the middle 👍 best wishes to the family https://twitter.com/ajinkyarahane88/...26596087951361 …
Ajinkya Rahane
✔
@Ajinkyarahane88
Hello ❤️
View image on Twitter
89.9K
10:14 PM - Oct 7, 2019
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And Rahane hoped he'd have the support of his team-mates in this longest format.
Rohit Sharma
✔
@ImRo45
· Oct 7, 2019
This will be the best innings you’ll play ever. Enjoy the time in the middle 👍 best wishes to the family https://twitter.com/ajinkyarahane88/...26596087951361 …
Ajinkya Rahane
✔
@Ajinkyarahane88
Hello ❤️
View image on Twitter
Ajinkya Rahane
✔
@Ajinkyarahane88
Thanks Rohit. I will need all your support from the non-striker’s end as you are a senior pro in this innings :)
7,659
10:55 AM - Oct 8, 2019
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We're certainly not going to go wanting in the dad jokes department.
Missed all the chatter last week? Catch up on it here.
