Currently in Sri Lanka, Virat Kohli is set to rejoin Team India for a three-match ODI series. Kohli was last seen in action during the T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls in the final, leading India to a narrow seven-run victory over South Africa. After the match, Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma, announced his retirement from T20Is, paving the way for younger talents.
The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled for August 2 in Colombo, marking Kohli’s first ODI appearance since India’s defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
Virat Kohli – the sweetest and the most humble guy! ❤️
Virat – “shall I sign it? You said na it’s for me then you’re saying to sign it?! (Smiles)”. pic.twitter.com/97a89KbQhl
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 1, 2024
During a training session on Thursday, Virat Kohli caught everyone’s attention with a heartwarming gesture. After his net session, he noticed some fans waiting for him and decided to greet them before heading to the dressing room. Initially thinking that one fan had a gift for him, Kohli approached only to find that the fan wanted an autograph. With a grin, he remarked, “Sign karu kya? Aapne bola mere liye hai, abhi aake bol rhe ho sign. (Should I sign? You said it was for me, now you are asking for a sign.)” The fan clarified that the photographs were indeed for Kohli, and he wanted an autograph in return. Kohli responded with a smile, “Oh, acha, acha (oh, okay).”
Speaking ahead of the match, Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of the series, stating, “It’s not a practice ground this (series), it’s still an international game. We will keep in our mind what we would like to achieve as a team but this is by no means preparation or practice or anything like that. We want to come here and play good cricket and get something out of the series, it is as simple as that.”
Sharma further added, “Of course, we want to try everything possible but sometimes you gotta understand when you’re representing the nation, the quality of the cricket you want to play should remain the way it is and how we have played our cricket in the last few years. I think that is more important, more than thinking about it as preparation so let’s go out and chill in Colombo.”
With Virat Kohli and Sharma back in the squad, fans eagerly await the exciting cricket action as India takes on Sri Lanka in the upcoming ODI series.
