Saurabh Gade has been making public appearances because of his face's similarity with Virat Kohli.
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is already a legend in the world of cricket, ruling the modern era of the sport with his artistry with the bat beside being a role model and fashion icon off the field.
Apart from ruling hearts of his fans with his masterclass on the field, the dashing cricketer has a great sense of style and ability to carry himself, which makes him one of the most fashionable cricketers in the globe, as the youngsters just can't get enough of his stylish hairdos.
While the 30-year-old has been continuously making his presence felt on the field, his lookalike Saurabh Gade, a junior engineer with JCB – a multinational company that manufactures earth movers, has been enjoying his own fame in the country as the doppelganger of Kohli.
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The two have a lot of similarities in looks and Saurabh is making the most of India captain’s popularity – whether be it clicking selfies with fans, being the promotional face of business ventures or turning up for political rallies and even be the chief guest at local cricket tournaments.
Earlier this year, Gade got his fame and his life has changed when a candidate from Ramalinga Gram Panchayat's sarpanch in Maharashtra's Shirur district spotted him and roped him for a rally.
Recently, Gade told his story to The Indian Express, “My friend in college used to say that I look like Kohli. One of my friends had taken a photo which was seen by one of the MLAs in Shirur. He called me and asked me to go to the sarpanch rally as he knew the candidate. After the rally, more hoarding came up, these had the candidate with the real Kohli. I sent the MLA’s team pictures but the quality wasn’t up to the mark. So, the MLA photoshoped Kohli’s picture.”
Like Kohli, Gade has been also asked for autographs and photographs and is in demand as a guest at family functions and in cricket tournaments, while he also bagged an advertisement and is a brand ambassador of a bakery in Pune, as well as, did a photoshoot for a clothing brand.
However, he is yet to meet Kohli, though, he missed the chance during last ODI match in Pune against West Indies but that made him even more famous as he was asked by a top police officer for a selfie, and even he had to protect him, as fans were excited to click pictures with Kohli’s lookalike.
Gade signed off by saying: “By the time I reached, the bus had moved. I am still eagerly waiting for the day I meet Virat. There were lots of people gathered around me and police came and said it could be law and order issue. They told me to go sit in the enclosure in the stands specifically reserved for physically disabled so that I can be a bit free. Two constables and an inspector too were there for my security. Later a top police officer called me over and asked for my picture!”
(With The Indian Express Inputs)