Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli received a heartwarming reception as he arrived at Colombo airport on Monday, ahead of India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Joining him were skipper Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana, who also landed earlier that day.
This series marks a significant return to ODI cricket for both Kohli and Rohit, their last appearance in this format being in November 2023. Fresh off India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, their presence is highly anticipated. Upon his arrival at the Colombo airport, the 35-year-old Kohli engaged warmly with fans.
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Despite the formalities of immigration, he took time to interact with his admirers, sharing smiles, handshakes, and selfies. VIrat Kohli’s presence in Sri Lanka is particularly notable given his stellar record against the host nation in ODIs. In 53 matches, he has amassed 2,594 runs at an impressive average of 63.26, including 10 centuries and 12 fifties.
Virat Kohli Greets Fans at Colombo Airport.❤️
🎥 ©KohliSensation (X)
[CricketGully Cricket TeamIndia BCCI INDvsSL ViratKohli] pic.twitter.com/C2Vx18hgsY
— Aussies Army (Parody) (@AussiesArmyParo) July 30, 2024
Virat Kohli stands second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in runs scored against Sri Lanka in this format. The upcoming series is crucial for both Kohli and Rohit as they aim to re-establish their rhythm in the 50-over format.
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Their participation had been the subject of speculation, but their inclusion in the 15-member squad has dispelled those doubts. This series will also mark their first ODI appearance since announcing their retirement from T20 internationals.
Meanwhile, the Indian team has already commenced their preparations under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. With a 2-0 lead in the ongoing T20I series, the team’s morale is high as they aim for a clean sweep before transitioning to the ODI format.
