Virat Kohli Gears Up for New Zealand ODI Series with Intense Training
Kohli's Return to Training
Former Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has resumed training as he prepares for the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which kicks off on November 4. He has returned to Mumbai to engage in a rigorous training regimen at the Cricket Club of India (CCI)'s Brabourne Stadium.
Intensive Practice Sessions
The seasoned batsman, who stepped back from T20Is and Tests in 2024 and 2025, respectively, underwent a demanding practice session at the nets. He faced both local pace bowlers and spinners to sharpen his rhythm and footwork on the red-soil pitch in preparation for the series against New Zealand. Kohli last played in the ODI series against the West Indies in October.
Recent Performance Highlights
In the recent ODI series against the West Indies, Kohli scored a total of 168 runs, highlighted by an impressive unbeaten 139 in the opening match. This performance brought his ODI century count to 55, and he became the fastest player to reach 15,000 runs in the 50-over format.
A Memorable Moment for a Young Bowler
During his training at Brabourne Stadium, Kohli had the opportunity to practice with local net bowlers. One bowler, Akash Pawar, had the chance to bowl to Kohli during a two-hour session. After the workout, Kohli took a moment to connect with Pawar, offering advice and signing his Team India jersey, making it a memorable experience for the young bowler.
Pawar shared a video of this interaction on Instagram, expressing his joy with the caption: 'The kind of moment that makes every early morning worth it.'
Kohli's Lifestyle and Recent Activities
Kohli, who has been living in London since retiring from Test cricket, returned to Mumbai for a short training camp to ensure he remains in top form for the ODIs. Recently, he and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, attended a live kirtan performance by the famous American devotional singer Krishna Das. Videos of their participation in the event quickly gained popularity online, showcasing their down-to-earth nature.
Kohli's ODI Record Against New Zealand
With his focus now solely on ODIs, Kohli aims to extend his career until the 2027 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Since retiring from Tests, the 37-year-old has participated in every ODI series, including those against Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, and the West Indies, and is now set to face New Zealand in an away series.
Kohli boasts a commendable ODI record in New Zealand, having scored 596 runs, including one century and four fifties, at an average of 49.66 across 13 matches. He is just 226 runs away from breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of 821 runs for the most ODI runs by an Indian in New Zealand.
Overall, Kohli has excelled against New Zealand in ODIs, accumulating 1,897 runs, which includes seven centuries and ten fifties, at an impressive average of 57.48 in 36 matches, surpassing Tendulkar's previous record of 1,750 runs.