Virat Kohli, star India batter, left for Australia on Saturday for a crucial five-match Test series beginning November 22.
Recently scrutinized for his performance during India’s 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand—where he scored only 93 runs across six innings—Kohli is determined to impact the upcoming series significantly. The first Test is scheduled in Perth this November.
Upon his departure from Mumbai airport, Kohli, accompanied by his wife and children, faced overwhelming attention from fans eager for photographs. Although initially accommodating, Kohli expressed frustration when fans persisted, remarking, “I won’t just leave my family aside to take selfies.”
Kohli also requested that photographers respect his family’s privacy and not direct their cameras towards them.
Earlier in the week, Kohli celebrated his 36th birthday and attended an event by banking and financial group HSBC. The event saw an impromptu birthday celebration, during which fans sang to the cricketer, led by host Gaurav Kapur. Kohli, touched by the gesture, eventually had to ask the crowd to stop gently.
In professional updates, Royal Challengers Bangalore retained Kohli for Rs 21 crore, making him the top pick ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, which is set for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. RCB also retained batter Rajat Patidar for Rs 11 crore and pacer Yash Dayal for Rs 5 crore.
