Ahead of India’s second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Virat Kohli took a heartwarming break from his busy schedule to connect with his young fans. The 35-year-old star batter, known for his passion both on and off the field, delighted two young fans by signing their cricket bats. In a video shared online, one of the youngsters expressed his admiration for Kohli, describing it as a “dream come true” moment.
Virat Kohli’s gesture of taking time to interact with his supporters, especially children, is one of the many reasons why he holds a special place in the hearts of millions. The simple act of signing autographs brought broad smiles to the faces of these young fans, offering them a cherished memory to last a lifetime.
A lucky little fan got an autograph of Virat Kohli in his bat 😍❤️
– Dream Come True Moment for a Little Fan. pic.twitter.com/kbz68r6KRH
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) October 23, 2024
Meanwhile, India finds itself in a critical phase of the series, needing to bounce back from an unexpected defeat in the first Test against New Zealand. The hosts were handed an eight-wicket loss at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, putting them in a tricky situation for the second match.
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Despite the setback, India still leads the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with 68.06% points, keeping their chances alive in the 2023-2025 cycle. The pressure now mounts on Rohit Sharma and his team as they prepare for the remaining two Tests against New Zealand, followed by an intense five-match Test series in Australia. With five wins required from their remaining seven matches to secure a place in the WTC final, India cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel shared his views on Kohli’s performance in the opening Test, highlighting the need for Kohli to spend more time at the crease. Patel noted that Kohli, despite his stature as one of the game’s greatest, had not played much Test cricket in recent months.
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“It was extremely necessary for Virat Kohli to spend time in the middle. He didn’t play in the England series and didn’t get many opportunities against Bangladesh. No matter how big a player you are, you need match time to get into your rhythm,” Parthiv Patel explained. India will be hoping for Kohli to find his form and lead from the front as they look to turn the tide in the second Test and strengthen their path to the WTC final.
