Virat Kohli shared his two-month break from cricket, saying the time away from the game and the country on paternity leave was ‘a surreal experience’. Speaking to Harsha Bhogle after being named Player of the Match for his 49-ball 77 in RCB’s first home game of the season, he stated the time away from the spotlight and game was great. However, Kohli missed the five-match Test series against England as he welcomed his second child.

“We were not in the country. We were at a place where people were not recognising us. Just time together as a family, just to feel normal for two months,” Kohli said. “For me, for us as a family, it was a surreal experience. Of course, having two kids, things become totally different from a family perspective. So just the ability to be together, the connections that you make with your older child, it’s amazing. I mean, I couldn’t have been more grateful to God for the opportunity that I got to spend time with my family.”

“And yeah, just the place that we were in, I was telling the guys that when we came back, the voices back home felt that much louder. I couldn’t look up because I was just not used to being called my name for two months. And then immediately you hear these loud noises and then you’re back in it all again. But it was beautiful. It’s an amazing experience to just be another person on the road and not be recognised and just carry on about life that normally people would on a daily basis,” he further added.

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Virat Kohli again said that he remained grateful for all the love showered on him by his fans, especially those in Bengaluru as well.

“Famously Rahul [Dravid] bhai in the change room nowadays says exactly the same to us. When you play, you play your heart out because you’re going to miss these times when you’re with your friends in the change room playing in front of fans. So the relationship that’s happened organically over so many years it’s something that I can never ever forget. Just the love and the appreciation and the backing I’ve received for so many years that’s been amazing,” he further shared.

However, after being survived on 0 by Jonny Bairstow, Virat Kohli played a good knock while chasing performance on an atypical Bengaluru wicket. He smashed eight boundaries in the first four overs. However, he has always been in the news despite not playing. His presence in the upcoming T20 World Cup has always been a matter of discussion.

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During this match, he became only the third player and first Indian player to register his 100 50+ score in T20 cricket.

“I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. But I’ve still got it I guess. That’s the promise I can give here – I’ll keep turning up and keep trying my best,” Virat Kohli concluded.