Kohli joins RCB training camp
BENGALURU: Virat Kohli on Monday made his first appearance in the training session of his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the IPL beginning March 22.
Kohli, who was out of the country for the birth of his second child, arrived in India on Sunday. The former India and RCB captain was seen taking rounds of the Chinnaswamy Stadium as part of his warmup. Skipper Faf du Plessis also attended the session.
RCB, which has never won the IPL, begins its campaign against reigning champion Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Friday.
Kohli’s performance in the lucrative T20 league will be closely tracked as the event precedes the T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean. The 35-year-old played his first T20 since the 2022 World Cup back in January against Afghanistan. Skipper Rohit Sharma also made a comeback in that series and is expected to lead India in the T20 World Cup beginning June 1. Kohli also missed the five-match home Test series against England due to his family commitments.
The batting great had a memorable IPL last year, aggregating 639 runs including two hundreds and six half-centuries.
It’s unbelievable batting with Virat: Du Plessis
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis says Virat Kohli’s infectious energy, which easily rubs off on everyone, is the secret of the brilliant on-field and an equally fulfilling off-field equation he shares with the Indian superstar.
Du Plessis, who took over the team’s captaincy after Kohli decided to step down at the end of the 2021 season, said batting with the prolific right-hander is an “unbelievable experience”.
“It’s unbelievable batting with him. He is one of the favourite guys I like to bat with. He brings out so much energy in me, like sometimes, I feel I am fist bumping my glove though his hand because he gets so passionate being out there in the middle,” Du Plessis told ‘Star Sports’.
“It’s really infectious the way he gives that energy,... how this guy is always on and how does he manage it...on the field while catching balls, we both are very competitive and make sure we get those good catches for the team,” the stylish right-hander said.
He might not be the skipper anymore but Kohli’s inputs and role in lifting the fielding unit’s energy is also something that Du Plessis admires.