Former Indian captain Virat Kohli revealed the “Chupa Rustom” among the Indian cricketers who were involved in the popular prank on Kohli into touching the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s feet. 

The 19-year-old Virat Kohli already made his international cricket debut during India's tour of Sri Lanka in August 2008. He impressed everyone in his first international series as the right-handed batter was the second leading run-scorer for the visitors India in that series with 159 runs with an average of 31.80. He scored one half-century in that ODI series.

As Sachin Tendulkar was rested for that ODI series in Sri Lanka, Kohli didn’t get the chance to play with the Indian legend in that series. 

Kohli and Sachin were teammates for the first time in home ODI series

Kohli was later present in the ODI squad for the home series against England, where Sachin Tendulkar was also a member of the squad. Although Sachin wasn’t present in the first three matches of the home series, he returned for the next two games of the series.

While the teenage Kohli was a new boy in the Indian dressing room, some of his senior teammates pranked him.

The prank

Yuvraj Singh, who was also popular for pranking, led the senior gang to tell the young boy Kohli about the tradition of touching Sachin Tendulkar’s feet by leaning on the ground during any fresh joining in the Indian squad.  

Talking about that prank, Kohli recently revealed that Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan were the other senior players to be involved in that prank, along with Munaf Patel. Kohli called Patel a “Chupa Rustom” in that prank.

Virat Kohli talking about the prank when he meets Sachin Tendulkar for the first time.

- He said "Main pairon main gir gaya Sachin Paaji ke". ❤️😂pic.twitter.com/ocxbbvBinn

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) November 7, 2024

Kohli and Sachin fulfilled the dream of Indian cricket fans

Kohli also revealed that Sachin Tendulkar wasn't involved in that prank. After the 2008 Sri Lanka tour, Kohli played his next international match in September 2009 in Sri Lanka. In 2009, Kohli also played in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 in South Africa. 

Sachin and Kohli played together in 48 international matches, 17 Tests and 31 ODIs. Both of them were among the key members of India's successful journey at the ICC World Cup 2011.