Virat Kohli Departs To Play First T20I

Virat Kohli, after a long wait, will be back in the T20Is on Sunday. The former Indian cricket team captain had last played a T20I back in 2022 at the T20 World Cup. However, for the last international series that India are playing (vs Afghanistan) before the 2024 T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli has been recalled. However, Virat Kohli missed the first T20I of the three-match series due to personal reasons. Now, he will be back in the second T20I in Indore, that will be played on Sunday. He was spotted at the airport leaving for Indore.

Social media was viral with his departure video at the airport. However, fans were more interested in his Mercedes Benz car, with some even calling it a 'beast'.

Former Indian cricket team wicketkeeper Saba Karim said that India will need Kohli to play a crucial role at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup and considering the pitches in West Indies, Kohli should stick to his familiar role.

"Virat Kohli will come in and there is a strong possibility that he will open the batting with Rohit Sharma. I am looking at Virat Kohli at No. 3. Keeping in mind that the World Cup is to be played in West Indies and USA, India will be playing on slow wickets. You need someone who can control the entire innings and I think Rohit Sharma is backing Virat Kohli to play that role. Come at No. 3 and control the innings, remain an anchor right till the end - be it setting a target or chasing. Once Virat Kohli is back, I would like to see him at No. 3," he said in the post-match analysis on Star Sports.

Talking about the first T20I, India's fringe players, led by Shivam Dube, made the opportunity count to set up a six-wicket win.

A lively 68-run partnership off 43 balls between the seasoned Mohammad Nabi (42 off 27) and youthful Azmatullah Omarzai (29 off 22) lifted Afghanistan to 158 for five after India dominated the powerplay.

The total posted was not enough in good batting conditions as India got home comfortably in 17.3 overs.

NDTV