"Really Infectious": Faf Du Plessis On What Virat Kohli Brings To Table As Opener

17.03.2024 - 19:15 sports.ndtv.com

After pulling out of the recently-concluded Test series against England, star batter Virat Kohli is set to return to action during the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Kohli returned to India, following the birth of his son Akaay, and is set to join his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore's training camp.

Kohli was in the UK to be with his wife Anushka Sharma, who gave birth to their second child, Akaay, on February 15. He had opted out of the England series, citing personal reasons.

On Sunday, Kohli was spotted at the Mumbai airport, just days ahead of RCB's opening match of the season against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings.

cricket Chennai Super Kings Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL 2024 as Virat Kohli Star Sports Anushka Sharma Faf Du Plessis Britain South Africa India

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepares to take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-octane Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at Jaipur, all eyes will be on star batter Virat Kohli, who has single-handedly carried a star-powered, but yet inconsistent batting line-up so far. RR, boosted by their unbeaten streak of three matches, will be playing RCB at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The Blue and Gold franchise will be aiming to improve their win-loss record this season, having won just one of their four games so far. While the bowling has been underwhelming, the most disappointing part of the campaign so far is the team's star-studded line-up of skipper Faf Du Plessis, Virat, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green and Dinesh Karthik not clicking together as a unit.

"RCB Need Other Batters To Stand Up": Steve Smith Backs 'Under Pressure' Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is "under a lot of pressure" in the ongoing IPL owing to the collective failure of Royal Challengers Bengaluru batters, feels former Australia captain Steve Smith who wants the Indian superstar's RCB teammates to come good in the supporting act. Kohli has waged a lone battle for RCB this IPL season with 203 runs in four matches at 67.66 with two fifties. The second-best batter, Dinesh Karthik, is way behind with 90 runs in as many games.

"Virat Kohli, I Want You To...": AB de Villiers' Honest Message Over RCB's Poor Show

Former South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batting legend AB de Villiers said that the franchise needs their star batter Virat Kohli should be there in the middle overs for his side so that they can "fire all cylinders". RCB has got off to a poor start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, having lost three of their four matches. Virat has been their only in-form batter, with 203 runs in four matches at an average of 67.66, with two fifties. He is the current Orange Cap holder for most runs in the season so far. Other big players like skipper Faf Du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar etc have failed to perform with the bat.

"Unnecessary": Ex-India Star's Huge Take On Virat Kohli's 'I Still Got It' Remark

There has been a lot of speculation over Virat Kohli's inclusion in the Indian cricket team squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. While there are some who suggested that India should look at selecting a younger side, others think that the team will be incomplete without a talented veteran like Kohli. Following his brilliant half-century against Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, Kohli gave a sharp response to his critics with a sly remark. “I know my name is quite attached to just promoting the game in many parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket, but I have still got it I guess,” he said. While his remark was praised by many, ex-India star Robin Uthappa believes that it was 'unnecessary' in the situation.

Virat Kohli's Gesture For Rinku Singh After KKR's Win Over RCB In IPL 2024 Has Internet's Attention

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and India star batter Virat Kohli gifted Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and India's upcoming middle-order batter Rinku Singh a bat following his side's loss to two-time champions at their home arena of M Chinnnaswamy Stadium on Friday. KKR also posted a picture of them on their official X handle, tweeting, "The bond we love to see! : @RCBTweets." Following Virat's gesture, Rinku posted an Instagram story, thanking Virat for "advice" and the bat.

Watch: Cameron Green Funnily Shoos Away Virat Kohli During Mid-Innings Presentation

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star players Virat Kohli and Cameron Green were involved in a funny moment during the side's IPL 2024 game against Kolkata Knight Riders at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. Virat scored an unbeaten 83 off 59 balls in the first innings of the game and surpassed SunRisers Hyderabad's Heinrich Klaasen to become the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024. During the mid-innings presentation, Green showed up with the Orange Cap to give it to Kohli, and he ended up giving both the cap and the mic to the India player.