Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ A viral video featuring a life-size statue of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli at New York’s Times Square has garnered widespread attention online, sparking fervent reactions from cricket enthusiasts on social media platforms. Accordingly, the statue, launched during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, is a creation of mattress company Duroflex, one of Kohli’s endorsed brands. The viral footage showcases Kohli depicted in gold, towering with cricket pads on his knees and holding a bat, symbolizing his stature in the sport.
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Duroflex shared the video across social media platforms on June 23, accompanied by the statement, “A larger-than-life statue of Virat Kohli at the iconic Times Square. This King’s Duty, we are going global and making history! We’re delivering great sleep and great health to Virat Kohli.” As such, the post prompted an array of reactions from Kohli’s admirers, with many marveling at the lifelike portrayal and some questioning whether it was computer-generated imagery (CGI).
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While the imagery has been presented by Duroflex as an advertisement utilizing CGI technology, some media outlets and social media users have mistakenly portrayed it as an actual statue. CGI, a computer graphics application, is commonly used in various visual media to produce realistic or enhanced images, whether static or dynamic. The unveiling of the CGI-rendered statue coincides with a pivotal moment in Indian cricket, as the national team advances to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Kohli’s leadership and contributions are crucial as India progresses in the tournament, underscoring his status as a global sporting figure and a symbol of Indian cricket’s international impact.
On Monday, India’s victory over Australia in their final Super-8 match set the stage for a semi-final clash against England. Accordingly, Rohit Sharma’s stellar performance, scoring 92 runs off 42 balls, propelled India to a formidable total of 205/5 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia. Australia’s fate now hinges on the outcome of the Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Super-8 match. Earlier this month, Kohli participated in India’s group-stage matches held in the United States, marking the first ICC event hosted in America alongside the West Indies. Additionally, the presence of Kohli’s virtual statue in Times Square further highlights the growing popularity of cricket in non-traditional markets and cements Kohli’s role as a global ambassador for the sport.
