Watch: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Burst Into Laughter In Comical Chat With India Star

16.01.2024 - 07:11 sports.ndtv.com

All-rounder Shivam Dube's return to the Indian side has proved to be a blessing for the team. Dube registered his second half-century in as many games on Sunday as India made a mockery of Afghanistan in the second T20I in Indore.

The 30-year-old has made unbeaten 60 and 63 in the first two matches, helping India seal the series with a game yet to be played.

Not only that, Dube has also chipped in with a few overs in the absence of Hardik Pandya, taking two wickets as well. Ahead of the match in Indore, Dube was part of a light-hearted chat with India captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, who returned to the T20I side after a hiatus of more than 14 months.

In the video, Rohit and Virat were seen laughing their guts out while speaking to Dube. Kohli was also making a few animated gestures during the viral interaction, drawing laughter from Rohit.

cricket India Cricket Team 2024 BURST watch Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Shivam Dube India Afghanistan

Virat Kohli has hardly ever set foot at the Bengaluru-based National Cricket Academy for any fitness-related rehabilitation work, said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who wants aspiring cricketers to follow the ace batter's exemplary work-ethic. "Virat Kohli has never been to NCA in his entire career. I would say that all the younger players should look up to the passion that he has," Rohit told former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema. "Leave alone how he plays the cover drive, flick, cut but first things first you have to understand what is the quality of the players that makes him where he is today." Kohli has opted out of the first two Tests of the ongoing five-match series against England for "personal reasons".

Fan Invades Pitch Wearing Virat Kohli's Shirt, Touches Rohit Sharma's Feet During India vs England First Test

One of the most loved cricketers in India, Rohit Sharma arrived in the middle to bat with Yashasvi Jaiswal after the hosts bowled out England for 246 on Day 1 of the first Test in Hyderabad on Thursday. Rohit produced some fine shots with the bat, scoring 24 runs off 26 balls before getting caught by Ben Stokes on the 27th delivery on the bowling of Jack Leach. But, before departing, Rohit had a moment with a fan in the middle, who breached security to meet the India captain in the middle and touch his feet.

ICC ODI Team Of The Year: Rohit Sharma Named Captain, Virat Kohli Among 6 Indians Included

Rohit Sharma was on Tuesday named captain of the ICC ODI Team of the Year, which featured five other Indians including star batter Virat Kohli and the pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. The team mostly included the World Cup finalists -- India (runner-up) and Australia (winner) -- besides players from semi-finalists New Zealand and South Africa, the ICC said in a statement. The top order includes openers Rohit and Shubman Gill. While the Indian captain accumulated 1,255 runs at an average of 52 last year, the latter struck a brilliant 208 against the Kiwis and also finished as the highest run-scorer (1,584) in the format.

"One More Opportunity": Rohit Sharma All But Clears Future Plan With Big Update

India skipper Rohit Sharma is looking to cash in on the opportunity of lifting the T20 World Cup 2024, after suffering a heartbreak in the final of last year's ODI World Cup against Australia on home soil. India's 12-year wait to get their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy ended on a bitter note as Travis Head's (137) blitz extended Australia's record-breaking tally to six. With the T20 World Cup set to kick off in June, Rohit talked about overcoming the nightmares of the past and seizing the opportunity that lies ahead of them.

"Virat Kohli Normally Does Not...": Skipper Rohit Sharma's Massive 'Intent' Remark In 3rd T20I

Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma marked their T20I return in the 3-match series against Afghanistan, making a case for themselves for T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection. While Rohit redeemed himself in the 3rd T20I with a century, after incurring back-to-back ducks in the first two matches, Virat scored a solitary 16-ball 29 in the 2nd match before departing for a duck in the third. Though Kohli's runs with the bat might not have impressed many, his 'intent' certainly left a mark on the skipper Rohit.

Watch: On Virat Kohli's 'Best Fielder Award', Don't Miss Rohit Sharma's Reaction

India's star player Virat Kohli is a live wire on the field, be it during his batting or his fielding. Kohli's role as a fielder was extremely crucial during the side's third and final T20I against Afghanistan in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Among some really good fielding efforts from Kohli, one that stood apart was he stopping a six at long-on. During Afghanistan's chase of 213 runs, Karim Janat hit Washington Sundar's delivery hard down the ground. For a moment it seemed that the ball will sail over Kohli's head but the star player jumped near the edge of the fence, grabbed the ball and threw it inside before falling over the ropes. The heroic effort saw Kohli eventually saving five runs for his team.