Xtra Time Web Desk: It was a special day for star India batter Virat Kohli as he celebrated his 34th birthday. Virat, who is in Australia for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, celebrated his special day by cutting a cake with his teammates in Melbourne, ahead of the team’s practice session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The official Twitter handle of BCCI shared the video of the celebrations, in which Virat can be seen cutting the cake along with Team India’s mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton who also celebrated his birthday today. The duo was joined by Indian players and members of the support staff.
Virat was in a jovial mood during the optional training session at MCG. He was cheered by a large gathering of Indian fans who turned up to wish Virat on his birthday. He was the first to walk into the nets as he took throwdowns before facing the likes of Harshal Patel and Mohammed Siraj. Virat also faced Yuzvendra Chahal.
After finishing his batting at the nets, Virat was seen chatting with Head Coach Rahul Dravid for a long time. Both were seen discussing about some technical adjustment. Kohli was seen sharing lighter moments with Rishabh Pant. The former India captain was seen checking the bat of Hardik Pandya.
Virat gave a pleasant surprise to the travelling Indian media as he agreed to cut a cake in front of them after the practice session. Later he was seen posing for a group photograph as well.
The Indian team management hosted a dinner to celebrate Virat’s birthday at the team hotel. Only the players and support staffs were allowed to attend it.
Virat has been in stunning form in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup. In the four matches played so far, he has scored a total of 220 runs, which is the most by any batter in the ongoing tournament. He made 82 not out from 53 balls against Pakistan at the MCG on October 23, and then followed it up with a 44-ball 62 against the Netherlands at the SCG. In India’s third game against South Africa, he got out on 12, but found his form immediately in the next match against Bangladesh, where he made 64 runs from 44 balls.
Rohit Sharma and his boys is scheduled to play Zimbabwe in their final Group 2 match of the Super 12 stage on Sunday (November 6) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. If India manages to beat Zimbabwe, they will finish at the top of the Group 2 points table and will then face England at Adelaide Oval in the second semi-final on November 10.