Star Indian batter Virat Kohli took a break from his net session to inspire young cricketers at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of the first Test against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on October 16. During India’s training session, the 35-year-old Kohli engaged in meaningful conversations with the budding cricketers, sharing insights from his illustrious career.
In a heartwarming gesture, he also gifted an autographed bat to one of the young players, leaving an indelible mark on their aspirations. Virat Kohli, known for his relentless work ethic and passion for the game, has had a relatively quiet year in 2024, participating in only three Test matches with his highest score just shy of fifty.
However, he showed glimpses of his brilliance during the Bangladesh series, where he scored a quickfire 47 off 35 balls in Kanpur. With Kohli just 53 runs away from becoming the fourth Indian to reach 9,000 Test runs, all eyes are on him to deliver another milestone in this series.
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Head coach Gautam Gambhir also expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to rise to the occasion. Reflecting on Kohli’s journey, Gambhir shared his admiration for the Delhi-born cricketer, emphasizing his enduring hunger for runs.
Virat Kohli shares his experience with a local player and gives him a signed bat 😍❤️
– King Kohli everyone’s favourite 🐐❤️ pic.twitter.com/uQSnR9xfcI
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) October 15, 2024
“My thoughts about Virat have always been very clear. He’s a world-class player who has performed consistently for a long time. His hunger and passion for the game remain as strong as when he made his debut. I remember opening the batting with him back in Sri Lanka, and that same fire is still there. I am confident he will be eager to get runs in this series,” Gautam Gambhir said in a pre-match press conference.
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With eight Test matches lined up over the next three months, including the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Kohli’s form will be pivotal for India’s success. His record against New Zealand is particularly impressive, having scored 866 runs in 11 matches, including three centuries. As India prepares for this crucial phase, Kohli’s contribution will be instrumental in their quest for dominance.
