Tamil Nadu CM Vijay gifted Virat Kohli signed MRF bat

In an unexpected crossover between cricket and politics, Tamil Nadu’s newly elected Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, was seen posing with a bat signed by Indian cricket star Virat Kohli in a viral image that quickly caught the attention of fans on social media.

The bat was gifted to Vijay by K.M. Mammen, Chairperson of MRF, after representatives from the tyre manufacturing giant met officials from the Tamil Nadu government. The discussions reportedly centred around the company’s proposed Rs 5,300-crore greenfield tyre manufacturing plant in the state.

The viral image showed Vijay dressed in a suit with a veshti over his shoulder while proudly holding the bat signed by Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers. The moment sparked excitement among both cricket fans and supporters of the actor-turned-politician, especially given Vijay’s long-standing association with cricket and the Indian Premier League.

A well-known supporter of Chennai Super Kings, Vijay has often expressed his admiration for the Chennai-based franchise over the years. He had also served as a brand ambassador for the franchise during the inaugural 2008 season of the IPL. His close association with CSK and its fanbase has remained visible through frequent public appearances in the team’s iconic yellow jersey.

Vijay is also known to share a cordial relationship with former CSK captain MS Dhoni. The Chief Minister has regularly attended cricket-related events and has openly spoken about his love for the sport, making the Kohli-signed bat a notable and symbolic gift.

Interestingly, Kohli and Dhoni, two of Indian cricket’s modern-day legends, have experienced contrasting IPL campaigns this season. While Dhoni has struggled with recurring injuries that restricted his participation, Kohli has once again delivered consistent performances and remains among the leading run-scorers in the tournament.

WHY MRF MET WITH THE CM?

The meeting between MRF representatives and the Tamil Nadu government has also drawn attention due to the scale of the proposed investment. According to a company filing submitted to the stock exchange on March 4, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between MRF and the state government is a non-binding agreement that remains subject to necessary sanctions and regulatory approvals.

“The proposed project, when implemented, envisages an estimated investment of about ?5,300 crore over a period of 12 years and is expected to generate direct employment for approximately 1,000 persons,” the company said in its statement.

MRF had earlier signed a similar MoU with the previous DMK-led Tamil Nadu government in March 2026 regarding the same proposed investment project. The latest development is expected to further strengthen Tamil Nadu’s position as one of India’s leading automobile and manufacturing hubs.