Team India's talismanic batter Virat Kohli finally joined the Men in Blue's practice session ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday, June 1.
Kohli landed in New York and checked into Team India's hotel on Friday morning (as per US Standard Time). The 35-year-old had been granted permission from the BCCI for a mini-break post-IPL 2024 before heading to the New York for the prestigious tournament.
Virat Kohli was the last player from the India squad to reach USA's financial capital join Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, slated to take place in the USA and West Indies. In a viral video, Kohli was seen walking out of the field with a cheer from the crowd and joined Team India's practice session ahead of the warm-up fixture against Bangladesh at the newly built in New York.
However, Virat Kohli won't be playing in the ongoing warm-up match against Shajmul Hossain Shanto-led Bangladesh as he just arrived in the New York and has yet to acclimatize to the weather conditions in the USA. Nonethelss, the legendary batter received enough game time in the IPL 2024 ahead of the showpiece event.
Kohli was in sublime form in the concluded 17th edition of the IPL, where he emerged as the Orange Cap winner by amassing 741 runs, including a century and 5 fifties, at an average of 61.75 and strike rate of 154.70 in 15 matches. Virat Kohli's form is a big positive for Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma-led Team India won the toss and opted to bat first against Bangladesh in the Men in Blue's only warm-up fixture ahead of the commencement of the T20 World Cup 2024.
India are clubbed in Group A alongside hosts USA, Ireland, Pakistan and Ireland. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against Ireland at the Nassau International International Stadium in New York on June 5, Wednesday. India will play all their group stage matches in New York.
Team India is considered among the strong favourites to win the T20 World Cup this time and will look to lift the coveted trophy for the second time, having first won in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007 in South Africa.
