Virat Kohli has finally brought an end to a social media pattern that had gone unchanged for nearly three years. Just days before India’s ODI series opener against New Zealand in Vadodara, the former Indian captain surprised fans by sharing images from a training session at Kotambi Stadium on his Instagram account — something he had not done since the 2023 World Test Championship final.
The post featured three photographs that offered a rare glimpse into Kohli’s preparation routine. One image showed the star batter striking the ball confidently in the nets, another captured him participating in running drills with teammates, while the third showed Kohli walking towards the practice area with his kit bag slung over his shoulder.
For followers who have long been eager to see behind-the-scenes moments of Kohli gearing up for a major series, the update felt refreshing and nostalgic. In recent years, Kohli’s Instagram activity has largely been limited to brand endorsements, vacation snapshots with wife Anushka Sharma, and posts commemorating landmark achievements.
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These included celebrations after India’s T20 World Cup triumph, the Champions Trophy win, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 title. The lack of training visuals had often been noted by fans, especially given Kohli’s earlier reputation as one of the most active cricketers on social media.
That context makes this latest post particularly significant. It signals Kohli’s renewed willingness to share his professional journey with supporters, even if selectively. Several fans took to the comments section to welcome the return of training updates, calling it a reminder of the intense work ethic that has defined his career.
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Kohli arrived in Vadodara earlier this week, a city set to host a men’s ODI for the first time. He was mobbed by fans at the airport, underlining his enduring popularity. The 36-year-old had ushered in the New Year with family and friends in Dubai before turning his focus back to cricket.
His form leading into the New Zealand series has been impressive. In December, Kohli returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a 16-year gap and made an immediate impact, scoring a commanding 131 followed by a fluent 77. During that run, he became the fastest player to cross 16,000 List A runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
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That domestic form built on an excellent ODI series against South Africa, where Kohli amassed 302 runs, including two centuries and a fifty, to help India clinch a 2–1 series victory. With Shubman Gill captaining the ODI side and Rohit Sharma also returning to action, Kohli will be eager to continue his rich vein of form when India face New Zealand on Sunday.
