Virat Kohli for RCB [Source: AFP]West Indies cricketer Joshua Da Silva, the son of one of Virat Kohli’s biggest admirers, drew inspiration from his mother’s hero to register a stunning double century in the ongoing West Indies Championship. While Kohli has long been a generational icon for fans across the globe, Da Silva’s parents have equally cherished watching their own son as well as Virat Kohli grow in the game. Playing as the Trinidad & Tobago captain-wicketkeeper, Joshua Da Silva revived the team’s innings against a resilient Leeward Islands side, who toppled three wickets for the batting side at 115 runs on board. Da Silva The Saviour For Trinidad & Tobago Amir Jangoo and Joshua Da Silva together scored 247 runs by stumps and led the score to 289 on the morning of the second day before Evin Lewis, who retired hurt early in the innings, returned to bat. However, Lewis's stay was not long as he fell alongside Amir Jangoo in quick succession. However, the resilient Da Silva arrived at the crease again to act as the saviour. Da Silva then added 132 runs with Terrence Hems to bring up his maiden double ton in first-class cricket. In his innings, he scored 220 runs from 304 deliveries as he also struck 29 boundaries and two sixes in the process, while declaring the innings closed on 522 for 9 after his risky spell. Also Read- Delhi Capitals' Lowest Totals In IPL HistoryNotably, Da Silva has been a prolific performer with the bat since this was his ninth first-class ton, out of which one is a century for his national team, the West Indies. Silva Breaks Records! Joshua Da Silva also made multiple records in the process, as his 220-run knock was the highest first-class score by a Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper. Dasilva also became the joint highest first-class scorer for Trinidad and Tobago as he broke the record after almost 11 years since Daren Ganga's 265 against Leeward Islands in 2005. The Virat Kohli and Da Silva Connection Kohli’s meeting with Joshua Da Silva’s parents felt like a moment destined for the family. During India’s tour of the West Indies in July 2023, Kohli met Joshua’s parents in Trinidad and Tobago. Joshua’s mother, Caroline da Silva, along with his father, Michael da Silva, are ardent admirers of the former India captain. Caroline shared that she deeply admires Kohli for his values and ethics towards the game, and considers him one of the finest batters of all time. “He has achieved so much, and yet he has the values that every mother seeks in their child. He is a family man and the ideal son,” said Caroline as quoted by ANI. Joshua, too, was happy after he arranged a meeting of the Indian legend with his parents. “He is a very reserved person and hasn’t said much. But sport is about respect and he respects Virat Kohli a lot and that’s what he was saying to Virat when he suggested that he wanted Virat to get a 100.” Joshua Da Silva, who has played 24 Caribbean Premier League matches, is yet to feature in the Indian Premier League. However, his parents, two years back, were hopeful of his inclusion in the mega tournament where he would get an opportunity to learn and grow beside legends like Virat Kohli. Also Read- RCB Rewrite History Books With Record IPL Chase
