Batsman Virat Kohli was a notable absence from India’s first training session ahead of the T20 World Cup. Team India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, trained in New York earlier this week with a light cardio session. The Indian team also found the net on Thursday, but there has been no sign of Kohli in any of the training sessions so far. After Kohli did not travel with the team to the Big Apple, several reports surfaced on social media alleging that the former India captain had requested time off from the BCCI following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League.
It was also reported that Kohli would miss India’s friendly match against Bangladesh on June 1. Amid the suspense surrounding Kohli’s absence, the star batsman was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Thursday night.
In a viral video, Kohli interacted with the paparazzi outside the airport and also signed autographs for fans.
Virat Kohli signing autographs to fans at the airport.
Nice gesture from King Kohli pic.twitter.com/FPRvP0FaBv
– Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) May 30, 2024
VIRAT KOHLI LEFT FOR USA.
– The GOAT of the T20 World Cups is coming…!!!pic.twitter.com/EpSnUHx3zw
—Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 30, 2024
VIRAT KOHLI ON THE WAY TO NEW YORK…!!!!
– It’s time to rule the T20I WC again. pic.twitter.com/oXmII9D0An
– João. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 30, 2024
Virat Kohli signing autographs for young fans at the airport before leaving for New York. What man #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5D8S98CKtt
– Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) May 30, 2024
Kohli was expected to travel to New York with the first batch of players after RCB’s elimination from the IPL. However, he was nowhere to be seen in the photos and videos shared on social media.
The 35-year-old has been the backbone of India’s batting line-up since the last decade. His records at ICC events are spectacular. In the last ODI World Cup in 2023, he broke the famous record of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar after amassing 765 runs in the only edition of the tournament to win the Player of the Tournament award.
The right-handed batsman, who is also the leading run-getter in T20Is, will look to replicate his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 performance in the T20 extravaganza after finishing the cash-rich league as the top run-scorer. The 35-year-old will play a crucial role in India’s campaign in the tournament.
(With IANS inputs)
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