At the recent global premiere event for his brand One8, Virat Kohli made a heartfelt revelation about his pre-match ritual. The Indian cricket star shared that he listens to one particular track by Punjabi singer Karan Aujla before stepping onto the field: ‘Winning Speech’ .
‘Winning Speech’ holds deep personal meaning
Kohli explained that the song resonates deeply with him because it reflects the struggles both he and Aujla have faced . The cricketer said he has been a fan of the singer for a while and admires how Aujla writes songs from the heart .
“The one I resonate with most is ‘Winning Speech’ because it probably captures the journey you’ve gone through. I can see similarities with my own journey as well. I also lost my dad when I was pretty young, so that song is quite special for me. I’ve often listened to it before going out to play matches,” Kohli said .
Kohli lost his father, Prem Kohli, in 2006 during a crucial phase of his cricketing development, an experience he has often credited with shaping his determination and outlook on life .
The Karan Aujla and Kohli Collab
The revelation came during the One8 event in New Delhi, where Karan Aujla performed the track live, and Kohli was seen vibing to it on stage . The two also shared backstage moments, and social media users called it the “biggest collab of the year” .
Kohli also mentioned that he had followed Aujla’s work long before the two became friends . Aujla, who concluded his tour with a major show at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium earlier this year , is one of the biggest names in Punjabi music today. He is known for blending emotional storytelling with commercial hits and has delivered chart-topping tracks such as Tauba Tauba, Softly, Admirin’ You, and Winning Speech, many of which have crossed hundreds of millions of streams globally .
Music as pre-match motivation
For Kohli, the track goes beyond music and serves as a reminder of perseverance and personal growth, making it a key part of his preparation before stepping onto the field . Known for placing equal importance on mental conditioning and physical fitness, Kohli said music helps him achieve focus and composure ahead of high-pressure encounters . He indicated that Winning Speech has become a familiar element of that routine, helping him settle emotions and concentrate before matches .
