A close-up video of Virat Kohli singing the Indian national anthem has gone viral on social media. The clip was captured before the first ODI between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4, when a small camera was placed right in front of Kohli as the teams lined up for the anthems.
For once, fans could hear Kohli’s own voice clearly over the stadium noise as he sang “Jana Gana Mana” with his eyes fixed ahead and a serious look on his face. The video has been widely shared on X, with fans calling it a rare and special moment.
Watch Video: Virat Kohli Singing the National Anthem
Sharing the clip, one fan wrote, “Probably the only instance where you’ll get to hear Kohli’s original voice singing our National Anthem.” Others praised the former captain’s pride and focus during the anthem.
Why the Video Is So Special for Fans
Kohli has sung the national anthem before hundreds of international matches, but fans usually only see him on TV from a distance, with the crowd and stadium music drowning out individual voices. This time, the broadcaster’s camera placed just in front of him picked up his voice clearly, giving viewers a front-row view of one of the most emotional moments before any India game.
Kohli has always worn his emotions openly when representing India, and the anthem has been a moment fans love to watch him during. The close-up clip shows him standing still, chin up and fully focused, which many fans said summed up what playing for India means to him.
Kohli Follows It Up With a Match-Winning 74
Kohli backed up the viral moment with a big performance on the field. In a rain-hit match, New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs after India chose to field. Arshdeep Singh picked up four wickets, while Gurnoor Brar took three and Anshul Kamboj two.
Rain then reduced India’s target to 143 in 32 overs under the DLS method. Kohli top-scored with 74 off 51 balls and shared a 113-run stand for the second wicket with Shubman Gill, who made 37. India reached the target in 22.4 overs to win by five wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Kohli also took a diving catch to dismiss Nathan Smith and became the first batter to score 13,000 runs at No. 3, according to Free Press Journal.
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India vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Match Summary
| Venue | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Date | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 |
| New Zealand | 185 all out (40.2 overs) |
| India (DLS target 143 in 32 overs) | 143/5 (22.4 overs) |
| Result | India won by 5 wickets (DLS) |
| Top scorer | Virat Kohli, 74 off 51 |
| Series | India lead 1-0 (five-match series) |
| Next match | 2nd ODI, Wellington, Saturday, November 7 |
India will look to build on the win when the two teams meet again in the second ODI at Wellington on Saturday. For now, though, it is Kohli’s anthem moment that has captured the hearts of fans online.
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