New Delhi, June 22, 2026 — It is a well-known fact that music has the power to heal, motivate, and connect people across different walks of life. But every now and then, a crossover occurs that reminds us just how deeply a single piece of art can touch even the world’s biggest icons.
In a rare and deeply moving moment, Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli opened up about his vulnerable side, revealing a profound emotional link to global Punjabi music sensation Karan Aujla’s hit track, Winning Speech. Speaking candidly at the high-profile One8 Global Premiere event held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Dwarka, New Delhi, Kohli shared the heartbreak behind his choice of pre-match anthems, leaving fans and attendees visibly touched.
A Shared Grief and an Unspoken Bond
While the star-studded evening was designed to celebrate fashion, music, and the growth of Kohli’s lifestyle brand, the atmosphere shifted from electric celebration to quiet reverence when Kohli took the microphone. Seated alongside Karan Aujla on stage, the former Indian national cricket team captain confessed that his admiration for the singer-rapper extends far beyond catchy beats and chart-topping numbers.
For Kohli, the song isn’t just an upbeat track to get his adrenaline pumping before a big game. Instead, it serves as a mirror to his own life story, particularly the painful loss of his father, Prem Kohli, who passed away overnight in December 2006 due to a sudden stroke. At the time, an 18-year-old Virat was in the middle of a crucial Ranji Trophy match for Delhi. In an act of legendary grit that defined his future career, he chose to bat the very next day to save his team before attending his father’s funeral.
Remembering that formative tragedy, Kohli added, “It explains the journey he [Karan Aujla] has been through, and I have felt a bit of similarity in it with my journey as well. I also lost my dad when I was pretty young. So, that song is quite special for me. I have heard it often before going to play matches.”
Interestingly, Karan Aujla’s own life has been marked by similar tragedy; the singer lost both of his parents at a very young age in Punjab, a shared trauma that heavily fuels the raw, triumphant lyricism of Winning Speech.
Fueling the “Never-Say-Die” Mindset
The revelation sheds new light on the mental preparation of one of cricket’s greatest-ever chasers. Kohli explained that the themes of resilience, overcoming odds, and proving detractors wrong present in Aujla’s music directly feed into his own psychological edge on the cricket field.
For Kohli, the thrill of the game doesn’t lie in easy victories, but in snatching triumph from the jaws of absolute defeat.
“I always crave situations where people have assumed it [the match] is gone, and then we somehow manage to pull it back,” Kohli explained. “That’s how I have always looked at situations from a very young age. I never stop believing right till the very end that a game is lost or we can’t win.”
To illustrate his point, Kohli recalled the historic 2022 T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a masterclass in modern cricket chasing that remains etched in sports history.
“One incident for me that will always stand out is that game against Pakistan in Melbourne. I was told later, the chances of winning the game were like 3% or something. But I never thought like that. Even 1% is enough. If there is a chance, there is a chance. You are never really done until you lose the game.”
An Unforgettable Crossover Night in the Capital
The emotional disclosure was the emotional anchor of what was otherwise an incredibly high-octane evening. The event perfectly fused the distinct worlds of elite sports and contemporary pop culture.
Karan Aujla, fresh off the massive waves of his global tour, delivered an electrifying live set that sent the New Delhi crowd into a frenzy. Performing some of his biggest global hits like Wavy, MF Gabhru, and Tauba Tauba, the Punjabi icon commanded the stage with his signature energy.
The highlight of the night came when Aujla launched into Winning Speech. Sensing the weight of the moment, the singer invited Kohli to join him center stage. In a video that has since gone viral across social media platforms, the cricket maestro can be seen fully letting his guard down, grooving happily to the heavy Punjabi beats and singing along. At one point, Kohli playfully gestured to his ear during the iconic lyric “Aujle de kanna vich nattiyan” (referring to Aujla’s signature hoop earrings), sending the thousands in attendance into a roaring applause.
The star-studded evening also featured a touch of high fashion, with celebrated designer and actress Masaba Gupta gracing the ramp as one of the night’s prominent style icons.
Looking to the Future: The Vision for One8
Aside from the musical bromance and emotional reflections, Kohli also gave fans a glimpse into his long-term business mindset regarding his brand. Rather than keeping the spotlight firmly on his own celebrity status, Kohli expressed an incredibly humble and forward-thinking goal for the label.
“It would make me the proudest if nobody gave two hoots about who we are and who started this,” Kohli stated, outlining his blueprint for the next two decades. “The brand should outgrow all of us, and if we can do that in 20 years, I would love to be completely forgotten. It should take over, and people should not even remember who started it. That’s where we want to get to.”
As videos of Kohli and Aujla continue to dominate internet trends, the event stands as a powerful reminder of how shared human grief can be channeled into unmatched greatness—whether that greatness is forged with a bat in hand under stadium lights, or behind a microphone in a recording studio.