India star batter Virat Kohli who is currently in Sri Lanka along with the Rohit Sharma-led ODI team was spotted giving autographs to fans during the team's net season ahead of the first ODI which will take place on August 2 in R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This will be Kohli's first ODI outing after India lost the final of World Cup 2023 where Australia defeated India to become the World Champions in one-day cricket.
Apart from Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will also make their comeback in ODIs after a long break. This series will be the first ODI assignment for Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach.
Virat Kohli giving autographs
Kohli who is one of the most followed cricketers around the world was seen along with a larger gathering of fans asking for his autograph. Kohli humbly asked fans where do I need to sign and started giving autographs to fans. The clip of the former India captain has gone viral and here is the clip.
Virat Kohli's ODI stats against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli has featured in 51 innings against Sri Lanka where he scored 2594 runs with a highest score of 166 not out. He smashed 10 centuries and 12 half-centuries against the island nation. He last played an ODI match against Sri Lanka was in the 2023 ODI World Cup where India defeated Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 302 runs.
IND vs SL ODI Squads
India have already defeated Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series where Suryakumar Yadav was seen leading Men in Blue and after that series, Sri Lanka have announced their updated squad for ODI. Here are the India and Sri Lanka squads for ODIs.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka, Eshan Malinga.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
'Bowler ka aasan hai..' MS Dhoni reveals his favourite current bowler in cricket
Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir's loving reunion wins internet, both share good laughter - See pics