Tamil Nadu CM Vijay gifted Virat Kohli signed MRF bat

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

The bat was presented to Vijay by KM Mammen, chairman of MRF, after representatives of the tire giant met Tamil Nadu government officials. Discussions reportedly centered around the company’s proposed Rs 5,300 crore greenfield tire plant in the state.

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

Well-known supporter of Chennai Super Kings, Vijay has often expressed his admiration for the Chennai-based franchise over the years. He also served as the brand ambassador for the franchise during the inaugural 2008 IPL season. His close association with CSK and its fan base remained visible through frequent public appearances in the team’s iconic yellow jersey. Tamil Nadu CM Vijay met representatives of MRF (Screen grab from X)

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 been open about his love for the sport, making the bat with Kohli a remarkable and symbolic gift.

Interestingly, Kohli and Dhoni, two modern-day legends of Indian cricket, have had contrasting IPL campaigns this season. While Dhoni struggled with recurring injuries This limited his participation, Kohli again performed consistently and remains among the leading run-scorers in the tournament.

WHY MRF MET CM?

The meeting of MRF representatives with the Tamil Nadu government also attracted attention due to the scale of the proposed investment. According to the company’s filing with 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.

“Once implemented, the proposed project has an estimated investment of around £5,300 million over 12 years and is expected to create direct employment for around 1,000 people,” the company said in a statement.

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

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Published on:

22 May 2026 16:54 IST

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