Virat Kohli’s casual yet focused appearance during a rainy morning in Bengaluru has caught the attention of fans across the internet. On Tuesday morning, Kohli, dressed in a hoodie to shield himself from the rain, was escorted by two groundstaff members and officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to the indoor practice nets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The day began with overcast skies and steady drizzle, keeping the pitch covered, which was in line with the forecast until October 17. Despite the gloomy conditions, Kohli and his Indian teammates adapted to the situation, heading indoors to get some practice. Kohli, along with India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, was seen making his way to the indoor facilities, much to the delight of fans present at the stadium.
Supporters of the Royal Challengers Bangalore star cheered as they caught a glimpse of their local hero. Kohli, Jaiswal, and a few other Indian players spent a couple of hours taking throwdowns from the team’s support staff to prepare for the upcoming Test match.
Unfortunately, the persistent rain led to the washout of the first session of the opening Test between India and New Zealand on Wednesday. The toss, originally scheduled for 9 AM, was delayed due to the relentless downpour.
Gautam Gambhir’s Confidence in Kohli’s Comeback
Virat Kohli has had a quiet year in Test cricket, having played only three matches in 2024 without a single fifty-plus score. His performances in the Bangladesh series yielded scores of 6, 17, 47, and 29*, which has sparked conversations about his form. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed full confidence in Kohli’s ability to return to his best.
Speaking at a press conference, Gambhir praised Kohli’s determination and hunger for runs, recalling his debut in Sri Lanka and noting that his desire to perform remains as strong as ever. “He has been a world-class cricketer for a long time and is still as hungry as he was at the start of his career,” Gambhir stated.
He also predicted that Kohli would bounce back in the upcoming series against New Zealand and later in Australia, highlighting the consistency Kohli has shown once he finds his rhythm. “We know that once he starts scoring, he can be incredibly consistent,” Gambhir added.
Fans will be eager to see if Kohli can rediscover his form in the coming matches and once again lead the way with his performances on the field.
