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Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, received a warm welcome upon his arrival at the hotel in Kanpur. The city is hosting the second Test match against Bangladesh, and Kohli, along with teammates Rishabh Pant and coach Gautam Gambhir, are preparing for the crucial encounter. While Kohli is known for his approachability and willingness to engage with fans, the overwhelming nature of the welcome presented a unique challenge.
As Kohli stepped into the hotel, he was met with a throng of excited fans and staff eager to greet the star batsman. The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers and the vibrant energy of anticipation. Amidst the flurry of activity, Kohli was showered with gifts, flowers, and a traditional tilak, symbolizing blessings and good fortune. He was also presented with a rudraksha, a sacred bead believed to possess spiritual significance.
Despite the chaotic situation, Kohli maintained his composure and grace. He acknowledged the warm gestures with a smile and a wave, but the sheer number of people vying for his attention made it impossible to engage with everyone. In one particularly amusing incident, Kohli was unable to accept a handshake from a hotel staff member due to the overwhelming crowd. With an awkward smile, he 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's arrival in Kanpur comes at a crucial juncture in his cricketing journey. After a challenging outing in the first Test in Chennai, where he scored only 6 and 17 runs, the former Indian captain is keen to regain his form and make a significant contribution to the team's success in the series. His 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.
The second Test against Bangladesh presents a vital opportunity for Kohli to prove his mettle and silence any doubts about his current form. As he prepares for a packed cricketing calendar, including India's participation in the World Test Championship, a strong performance in Kanpur could be a turning point in his journey to reassert his dominance on the international stage. Kohli, who returned to the Indian side after missing the home series against England due to the birth of his second child, has been in stellar form during the 2024 IPL season, scoring over 740 runs and leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a strong finish. His contributions were also instrumental in India's T20 World Cup victory, where he played a match-winning innings in the final.
With the second Test match against Bangladesh set to begin on Friday, the cricketing world awaits Kohli's performance. He hopes to steer India to another series victory and reaffirm his status as one of the most formidable batsmen in the world. The eyes of the nation are on him as he embarks on this crucial journey, and the entire cricketing community awaits his next chapter with bated breath.
Source: Watch: Virat Kohli awkwardly turns down Kanpur hotel staff's handshake