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Virat Kohli, accompanied by Rishabh Pant and coach Gautam Gambhir, received a spectacular welcome upon arriving in Kanpur, where India is set to face Bangladesh in the second Test, starting Friday. As soon as Kohli stepped into the hotel lobby, he was greeted by a sea of enthusiastic fans and well-wishers, eager to catch a glimpse of the Indian batting maestro.
A traditional ’tilak’ was applied to Kohli’s forehead, and he was presented with flowers, gifts, and a sacred ‘rudraksha’, symbolic of the way deities are revered in India. It was a sight to behold, with Kohli being treated with the same reverence and devotion often reserved for gods.
Having registered low scores in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, where he managed only 6 and 17, Kohli will be eager to get back in form. His Test record in Kanpur, however, is limited. He has played only one Test at Green Park Stadium, back in 2021 against New Zealand, where he scored 27 runs across two innings. The Chennai Test marked Kohli’s return to the longest format after an eight-month hiatus following India’s tour of South Africa, where he dazzled with a brilliant knock of 76 in the Centurion Test, albeit in a losing cause.
Virat Kohli had missed the home series against England earlier this year due to personal reasons, later revealed to be the birth of his second child, Akaay. However, the batting star returned just in time for the 2024 IPL season, where he showcased his brilliance, amassing over 740 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite a relatively quiet T20 World Cup, Kohli saved his best for the final, smashing a crucial 76 in the title-winning game against South Africa, guiding India to their second T20 World Cup triumph by a narrow margin of 7 runs.
“2 Hi Haath Hain”: Virat Kohli Turns Down Handshake, Thanks Staff in Kanpur
With a packed cricketing calendar ahead, Kohli remains pivotal to India’s quest for the ICC World Test Championship final. Known for his humility and graciousness, Virat Kohli never shies away from fan requests, whether it’s for selfies or autographs. However, this time the overwhelming welcome forced him to decline a handshake when a hotel staff member extended his hand. Carrying a bouquet and a bag in either hand, Kohli humorously remarked, “Sir, 2 hi haath hain (I got only two hands),” and made up for it with a polite ‘thank you’.
Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to form in Kanpur will be watched keenly as the Indian team aims to solidify its standing on the road to Test cricket’s ultimate showdown.
