England’s Haseeb Hameed may not have had the smoothest international journey, but one thing that’s remained constant in his career is the support and empathy shown by India legend Virat Kohli. In a recent interview, Hameed reflected on how a kind gesture by Kohli during his first India tour in 2016 still motivates him years later.
A Career Setback and a Superstar’s Empathy
Hameed, once hailed as ‘Baby Boycott’ for his technique and temperament, was only 19 when he toured India in 2016 with Alastair Cook’s side. After solid knocks in Rajkot and Visakhapatnam, his campaign ended prematurely in Mohali due to a broken finger caused by a rising delivery from Umesh Yadav.
Despite the setback, Hameed courageously returned to bat in the second innings at No. 8 and scored an unbeaten 59. While England lost, Hameed won hearts—including that of Virat Kohli, then at the peak of his powers.
At the end of the Test, Kohli approached the youngster, offering support, and even shared his personal number, telling him to reach out anytime. That simple act became a cornerstone of Hameed’s resilience during future hardships.
“He didn’t need to do that. I was just a 19-year-old kid. But he made the effort. That speaks volumes about who he is.” — Haseeb Hameed
A Lifeline in the Darkest Days
Hameed’s career nosedived after a string of failures, including averaging just 9.44 in 2019 and being dropped after the disastrous 2021-22 Ashes, where he managed only 28 runs in 3 Tests. But Kohli’s messages and batting advice remained a steady source of motivation.
“Every time I’ve had a query about batting, he’s been there. He gives time, responds, and talks like a friend. That’s rare at his level.”
Hameed even laughs about Kohli’s response time to messages:
“He’s way better than a few others. And that’s saying something for someone of his stature.”
Now 28, Hameed has reinvented himself at Nottinghamshire, where he’s captain and in prime form—848 runs at 70.66 this season. He credits Kohli, along with South African great Hashim Amla, for keeping his love for the game alive during his darkest times.
Inspired by Karun Nair’s Comeback Journey
Another Indian cricketer who inspired Hameed is Karun Nair. Once a triple-centurion for India, Nair struggled to find a place even in his state team and had to switch to Vidarbha. His comeback story, including stints in county cricket, deeply resonated with Hameed.
“It’s amazing to see Karun back in the Indian side, batting at No. 3. It reminds you to never give up.”
No Regrets About Early Debut
Despite his setbacks, Hameed remains proud of making his England debut at just 19.
“All my 10 Test matches came before I turned 25—and most were against India and Australia. That’s as tough as it gets. But I don’t regret a thing.”
Under the current leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, he remains optimistic about a future recall.
“They’ve shown they back players even after a bad tour. That’s what gives hope.”
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis and viral moments!