The first match was a disappointment but Virat Kohli truly marked his return to cricket with a brilliant 77-run win for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Punjab Kings on Monday. It was a vintage performance from Virat, with the stalwart Indian unleashing those perfect cover drives and lofty hits. While Kohli produced a match-winning performance to silence critics who doubted his T20 World Cup spot, the batting maestro wasted no time in calling his family and celebrating the success with them.
Kohli, who was recently blessed with a son Akaay, admitted that he is in a good situation after spending about two months with his family outside India when his wife Anushka gave birth to their second child.
The happiness on his face was visible to all as he called his family shortly after the end of the match. Here’s the video:
he promoted romance like no one else ever could #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/MSph5v7WxG
— Doctor_duo_ (@Doctor_duo_) March 26, 2024
Virat Kohli’s post-match video call highlights what’s most important in life: ‘FAMILY’#ViratKohli #RCBvPBKS #IPL24 pic.twitter.com/P8j1Mbbq8h
— Extra slip (@extra_slip) March 25, 2024
After the match, Virat also answered questions about his future in T20 cricket, giving a sharp response to the critics by saying, “I’ve still got it.”
“I know my name is now associated with promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. I still have it, I think,” Kohli said, giving a cheeky reply to those who debated about his place in the T20 World Cup squad.
Kohli has the orange cap for now, but he said he is past the stage where these things don’t matter anymore.
“I’m not playing for these Caps anymore. That’s the promise I can make here: I’ll keep showing up and keep doing my best.” He was a little disappointed that he couldn’t finish the match.
“I’m trying to get the team off to a flying start but when wickets fall you have to judge that. It wasn’t the usual flat pitch. Disappointed I couldn’t finish the game. The ball was in the slot but cut it to a deep point.” He has started hitting the lofted cover drive and it is his constant attempt to evolve as a hitter.
“They know I play the cover drive well, so they won’t let me punch holes. You have to come up with a game plan here and there.”
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