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KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane expressed his love for Indian fans and revealed he is a big fan of the IPL. - Kane has been friends with India and RCB star Virat Kohli since 2016. - The England captain aims to become the first Bayern player to win the Ballon d'Or since 1981. Virat Kohli's friend Harry Kane reveals special India and IPL connection Bayern Munich striker and England captain Harry Kane has expressed his deep appreciation for sports fans in India, revealing a personal fondness for the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he emerges as a frontrunner for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. No Bayern Munich player has lifted football's most prestigious individual award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge secured his second golden ball in 1981. Kane's exceptional goalscoring form has put him in prime position to end the club's 45-year drought, earning him widespread backing from football enthusiasts across the globe, including a massive fanbase in the Asian subcontinent. Following a busy summer where he led England to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Kane reflected on his global appeal and his personal admiration for Indian sports culture during an interaction in Germany. Known for his cross-sport admiration and friendship with Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli, the English forward reiterated his desire to visit India in the future. MORE: How many Test matches have finished in two days? Kane opens up on Indian supporters and silverware goals Speaking about his unique connection with supporters in India, Kane expressed gratitude for their ongoing backing and spoke candidly about his interest in Indian cricket. "Thank you very much. You know, I think I have a special relationship with the fans in India. I appreciate all their support," he told NDTV in Germany. I would love to go out there one day. They know I'm a big IPL fan as well, so I would love to do that. But yeah, as always, appreciate the fans all around the world, and yeah, thank you for all the support in India." When questioned about the individual prestige of the Ballon d'Or, Kane emphasised that his primary focus remains firmly on driving Bayern Munich to collective silverware, with the European crown serving as the ultimate goal for the upcoming season. "Yeah, look, as I said before, it's the new season now, and I wanted to start this season with a trophy," Kane explained. "Last year was incredible on many levels, from a personal level and as a team. Just falling short in one trophy, but our aim is to push now. We want obviously the Champions League as the big aim going into every season. It's a long journey ahead, but from our point of view, this is the first of four trophies, and hopefully we can continue." MORE: IND vs SL 2nd Test: Penalties Sri Lanka could face for slow over-rate Kane's friendship with Virat Kohli keeps him a fan-favourite Harry Kane’s explicit shoutout to Indian fans and the IPL highlights the expanding global footprint of football stars. His established rapport with Virat Kohli, with the striker congratulating Kohli after winning the IPL trophy in May, has long made him a popular figure among Indian sports lovers. Kane's friendship with the former Indian skipper goes a long way, with the two first coming in contact in 2016 when the then Tottenham striker praised Kohli for his performance in the 2016 T20 World Cup. The two eventually met for the first time in 2019 ahead of the 2019 ICC World Cup. Since then, the two have remained on friendly terms, as evidenced by Kane's constant congrats. But it is his genuine enthusiasm for the IPL that reinforces a unique cross-sport bridge between English football and Indian cricket culture. If Kane can spearhead Bayern Munich to European glory while maintaining his relentless scoring rate, the 2026 Ballon d'Or will likely serve as the ultimate validation of his world-class status. For all the latest cricket news, opinion, and commentary and to share your voice, head to our Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) pages