Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli was spotted exiting the Mumbai International Airport last night, signaling his return to action as he gears up to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Kohli’s appearance marks his first outing since January, following a nearly three-month leave for the birth of his second child with Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma.
In a video shared on Viralbhayani’s official Instagram handle, Kohli can be seen exuding his usual dapper look as he makes his way out of the airport. Accompanied by airport security personnel, Kohli graciously paused to pose for the cameramen before boarding his luxurious Range Rover.
Kohli’s absence from competitive cricket since January was notable, especially as he was initially included in the Indian squad for the recently concluded Test series against England. However, Kohli made the decision to opt out of the first two Tests, which the BCCI respected, allowing him the time off to prioritize family commitments. Though the specific reason for his leave was not disclosed, Kohli’s request for privacy was honored by the cricketing authorities.
During Kohli’s absence, his RCB teammate Rajat Patidar made his Test debut in the 2nd Test against England. Kohli’s extended leave saw him miss the remaining three Tests as well, providing opportunities for debutants like Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, and Devdutt Padikkal to showcase their talents on the international stage.
Despite Kohli’s absence, Rohit Sharma’s Indian team put up an impressive performance against England, winning the Test series 4-1 after losing the opening match. Now, after his paternal leave, Kohli is poised to make his IPL return with a bang, as RCB takes on reigning champions Chennai Super Kings in the season opener.
The upcoming IPL season holds particular significance for Kohli, who will be keen to replicate his stellar performances from previous seasons. With the T20 World Cup looming in June, Kohli will be looking to gain positive momentum and fine-tune his skills before representing India on the global stage.
Last season, Kohli’s IPL campaign was marked by stellar performances, amassing 639 runs from 14 matches, including two centuries and six half-centuries. As he prepares to lead the charge for RCB once again, Kohli will undoubtedly be aiming to make a significant impact in the upcoming season, setting the stage for a thrilling display of cricketing prowess.
As fans eagerly anticipate Kohli’s return to the IPL arena, the cricketing world awaits with bated breath to witness the maestro in action once again, as he seeks to add another chapter of success to his illustrious career.
