They say that if you truly want to understand a person, look at how long their friendships have lasted. Cricket may give us heroes, records, and unforgettable moments, but every now and then, it also gifts us something far more precious - glimpses of genuine human connection. And over the past few days in Ranchi, the cricket world witnessed exactly that.
Rohit Sharma meets Shahbaz Nadeem
When Rohit Sharma arrived in the city, many assumed it was just another airport video, another routine moment in a cricketer’s packed schedule. But the mood shifted instantly when Rohit spotted a familiar face waiting for him. With a warm smile and an unmistakable spark of recognition, Rohit said, “Arre, yeh toh hamara dost hai… hamara hi khayal rakhta hai." (“Oh, this is our friend… he always looks after us.”)
The man in question was Shahbaz Nadeem -former India cricketer, someone who shared a dressing room with Rohit, and a teammate from the two Test matches Nadeem played. Today, Nadeem serves as the Joint Secretary of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association, but to Rohit, he remains what he always was: a friend. The simplicity of that greeting, untouched by fame or hierarchy, left fans deeply moved.
Virat Kohli meets Saurabh Tiwary
But the heartwarming story didn’t end there. When Virat Kohli landed in Ranchi for the ODI series against South Africa, a similar moment unfolded. Standing beside him in the frame was another old friend - Saurabh Tiwary. Their bond goes back to teenage years, to an era before stardom, before endorsements, before the world knew their names. Saurabh was part of the India Under-19 team that won the 2008 World Cup under Virat’s captaincy, and the two later shared the RCB jersey in the IPL.
Now the Secretary of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association, Saurabh didn’t hesitate even for a moment. The minute he knew Virat was arriving, he headed straight to the airport, not as an official, but as a friend eager to welcome someone who had been a part of his journey for nearly two decades.
And as if these warm reunions weren’t enough, the internet recently melted at the sight of Virat and MS Dhoni going for a quiet drive after dinner in Ranchi. No cameras, no crowds - just two legends sharing a moment away from the spotlight.
In times when the world often celebrates competition, these moments remind us that friendship is cricket’s most beautiful story. One can only wonder: what stories, laughter, and memories were exchanged over that dinner? Whatever they were, they warmed millions of hearts.
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