Unless you’ve been living under a rock, in a cave, with no WiFi (and if you have, congrats on the digital detox), you’ve probably seen that viral video. The one where two Australian women planted a kiss on an Indian sports journalist on live TV. The internet, being the internet, has since dissected the clip with a DRS review-level scrutiny. But what’s the real story behind this moment of unscripted international diplomacy?
Rewinding to 2015
The incident took place in Melbourne, right next to the seat of Australia’s democracy—the Parliament. Back then, the video went viral before “going viral” was even a thing people said every five minutes. Speaking to timesofIndia.com, Vimal Kumar, the journalist at the centre of it all, recalled, “When the video was first shot, I actually asked my channel not to run it. I wasn’t sure how it would reflect on my image as a sports journalist.”
His producers, however, had no such doubts. “They loved it. The next day, I was doing half an hour of coverage on it, and now, 10 years later, the video keeps finding its way back to me on WhatsApp from different sources,” he added. Clearly, once the internet latches onto a moment, it never really lets go.
The Architect of Chaos
So how did it happen? Enter Pankaj Tomar, Kumar’s photographer and, as it turns out, the chief mischief-maker of the day. While setting up the lighting, two women approached Tomar to ask what was going on. Tomar, never one to let a golden opportunity slip, introduced Kumar as the “Amitabh Bachchan of Indian journalism.” Because why not?
The women, intrigued, asked if kissing this supposed megastar would make them famous in India. Tomar, with the instincts of a seasoned matchmaker and a touch of Bollywood-level drama, told them to go for it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Enter Ricky Ponting (Sort Of)
The story doesn’t end there. The next day, Kumar and his team met former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. However, Ponting wasn’t exactly keen on Holi, the festival of colours. The team then did what any self-respecting journalists would do—they roped in Ponting’s wife to convince him to partake in the festival. Because if there’s one thing more powerful than cricketing stats, it’s the persuasive abilities of a spouse.
Who is Vimal Kumar?
If you’ve somehow never heard of Vimal Kumar, here’s a quick catch-up. A veteran Indian sports journalist, Kumar has been covering cricket and other sports for over two decades. He has worked with various channels and covered multiple ICC Cricket World Cups and the Rio Olympics. In his latest avatar, he runs a popular YouTube channel, The Fans’ Reporter, offering cricket insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories. He has also authored books on Sachin Tendulkar and cricket’s impact on life, proving that he’s as comfortable wielding a pen as he is holding a mic.
Holi’s Global Reach
The incident is a reminder that Holi isn’t just about colours, bhang, and regrettable dance moves at office parties. Across the world, from Australia to the US, Holi has become a festival of joy, inclusion, and, in some cases, unexpected viral moments. As for Vimal Kumar, thanks to one impromptu prank and a viral clip, he will always be part of the tapestry of internet folklore.