Star Indian batter Virat Kohli was greeted with an overwhelming reception upon his arrival at the hotel in Kanpur, where the Indian team is staying for the second Test match against Bangladesh. Despite his usual approachability, Kohli had to politely decline a handshake from a hotel staff member due to the overwhelming nature of the welcome, but made sure to express his gratitude with a warm “thank you.”
Upon entering the hotel, Kohli was greeted by a large crowd, including hotel staff and fans eager to welcome him. In addition to receiving flowers, gifts, and a traditional tilak, the cricket icon was handed a rudraksha, a symbolic gift of blessings. While Kohli is known for his patience and willingness to interact with fans, the situation became slightly chaotic as he was inundated with people eager to meet him.
Juggling a bouquet in one hand and his personal belongings in the other, Kohli graciously acknowledged the warm gestures but found himself unable to accept a handshake from one of the hotel staff. With a smile, Kohli humorously explained, “Sir, 2 hi haath hain (I’ve only got two hands),” and compensated for the missed handshake with a polite ‘thank you’ instead.
Kohli arrived in Kanpur alongside teammate Rishabh Pant and coach Gautam Gambhir, gearing up for the second Test in the series. Kohli, who had a challenging outing in the first Test in Chennai with scores of 6 and 17, will be looking to return to form as India aims for a strong performance in the series.
Kohli’s last appearance at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium was during India’s match against New Zealand in 2021, where he managed only 27 runs across two innings. With his focus now on regaining form, the match presents a crucial opportunity for the former Indian captain as he continues to prepare for a packed cricketing calendar, including India’s campaign in the World Test Championship.
Kohli, who returned to the Indian side after missing the home series against England earlier this year due to the birth of his second child, has been in great form during the 2024 IPL season. Scoring over 740 runs, he helped lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a strong finish and was pivotal in India’s T20 World Cup win, playing a match-winning innings in the final. As India continues its busy cricketing schedule, Kohli remains a key figure in their journey to future success.
The second Test match against Bangladesh begins Friday, with Kohli hoping to make a significant contribution and steer India to another series victory.
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