New Delhi: An old interview featuring Virat Kohli and Aaryavir Sehwag has resurfaced on social media after the young cricketer grabbed headlines with a magnificent 160-run innings for India Under-19 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup 2026.
The video, dating back to 2017, shows a young Aaryavir interviewing Kohli, who was then India’s captain across all three formats, for Star Sports. Almost nine years later, the interaction has attracted renewed attention as Aaryavir begins making his mark in age-group cricket.
During the interview, Kohli spoke about his journey in the game and encouraged the youngster to dream big and believe in his abilities. His message, highlighted in the resurfaced clip, was to always maintain the belief that he could achieve what he set out to do.
Aaryavir’s 160-run innings puts India in the spotlight
Aaryavir, the son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, produced an impressive batting performance against the UAE in the Under-19 Asia Cup.
The 19-year-old scored 160 runs off 168 deliveries, hitting 17 boundaries and seven sixes. His innings helped India post 309 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.
He also shared a crucial 193-run partnership with fellow batter VK Vineeth, who contributed 67 runs off 69 balls. The partnership gave India a strong platform and helped the team build a challenging total.
India went on to defeat the UAE by 70 runs, securing a place in the semi-finals of the tournament. Aaryavir was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution.
The innings was particularly significant as it marked his maiden Youth ODI century. He had also impressed earlier in the competition with an unbeaten 72 against Nepal, underlining his growing confidence at the Under-19 level.
What happened during the 2017 interview?
The resurfaced video takes viewers back to a time when Aaryavir was still a young child with an interest in cricket.
During the interaction, he asked Kohli about his first meeting with his father, Virender Sehwag. Kohli recalled meeting the former India opener in Delhi through a state-level coach who knew both players.
The meeting had taken place after Kohli had scored his first double century in Under-17 cricket.
Aaryavir also asked Kohli about a well-known photograph featuring former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra presenting a trophy to Kohli when he was a teenager.
Kohli spoke about his experiences and journey in cricket, sharing words of encouragement with the young interviewer. His message about believing in oneself and aiming high has gained fresh attention following Aaryavir’s recent performance.
The video was shared again by Star Sports on social media on November 11, with the broadcaster recalling the interaction between the young interviewer and his cricketing idol.
Kohli remains an inspiration for Aaryavir
Although Aaryavir is the son of one of India’s most celebrated attacking batters, he has also openly expressed admiration for Virat Kohli.
In an interaction ahead of the Under-19 Asia Cup, Aaryavir spoke about his approach to batting and acknowledged Kohli’s influence on his game.
He said he enjoyed taking the attack to the opposition and wanted to play an aggressive brand of cricket. He also made it clear that his approach was influenced not only by his father’s style but also by Kohli’s batting philosophy.
Aaryavir described himself as a huge Kohli fan and expressed his ambition to dominate opponents and contribute to India’s success.
The young batter’s comments offered an insight into the influences shaping his approach. While Virender Sehwag is known for his fearless attacking cricket, Kohli’s consistency, intensity and ability to build substantial innings have also made him an inspiration for young players.
Aaryavir begins carving out his own identity
Being the son of Virender Sehwag inevitably brings attention and expectations. However, Aaryavir’s recent performances are beginning to give him an identity of his own in youth cricket.
His 160 against the UAE demonstrated his ability to build a long innings while maintaining an attacking approach. Rather than becoming frustrated by dot balls, he focused on spending time at the crease and converting his start into a substantial score.
After the match, Aaryavir revealed that he had promised his father he would score a big hundred. He said he had decided to bat for around 40 overs and was pleased to fulfil that promise.
His innings, combined with the earlier unbeaten half-century against Nepal, has strengthened his position as one of the young batters to watch in the tournament.
India’s Under-19 team will now look to carry its momentum into the knockout stage, with Aaryavir expected to remain an important part of the batting line-up.
An old interaction gains new significance
The resurfacing of the 2017 interview has created an interesting connection between Aaryavir’s childhood admiration for Kohli and his emerging career as a young cricketer.
At the time, he was asking questions to a player he admired. Today, his own performances are attracting attention from cricket followers.
Kohli’s message about self-belief has become particularly relevant after Aaryavir’s impressive century. As the youngster continues his journey in competitive cricket, the challenge will be to build on his early performances and establish himself through consistent contributions.
For now, the old video and the 160-run knock have brought together two moments from different stages of Aaryavir’s cricketing journey, highlighting the influence of an established star and the emergence of a promising young batter.