India's next challenge against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is taking place on February 17 in Delhi in what will be a homecoming for some of the players in the Test team. Among those is former skipper Virat Kohli, who will be playing in his home town for the first time in close to four years.
Kohli last played an ODI against Australia in March 2019 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. As India began preparation for the second game, the star batter relived his old memories on the drive to the stadium.
Having grown up in Delhi and playing his age-group cricket in the capital city, he took to social media to share a 'nostalgic' story on Instagram, saying that the Delhi Test gave him the opportunity to take the long drive from his place to the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
"A long drive towards the stadium in Delhi after a long time. Such a nostalgic feeling," Virat Kohli said in his social media post. Kohli was wearing shades as the sun peeped out in the capital city.
Virat Kohli shared a selfie from the car wearing India's training kits ahead of Wednesday's practice session for India.
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper's last competitive game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was also in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Back then, he led RCB during a match against the Delhi Capitals. In November 2019, a Virat Kohli pavilion was unveiled when the stadium was renamed from Feroz Shah Kotla to Arun Jaitley Stadium.
This will be the first time that Kohli will play a competitive match in front of the pavilion named after him at his home ground.
Ahead of the game, facing Kohli on his home turf has left the Australians reeling, as was described by spinner Nather Lyon, "Coming up against Virat Kohli, it feels like you've got the nation against you. If you've got a little bit of success and get Virat out or create a chance, you become the most hated cricketer in world cricket quite quickly. I've had a little bit of experience on that front bowling to Sachin Tendulkar a number of years ago now."
India thrashed Australia by an innings and 132 runs in the first Test and will hope to take a 2-0 lead with a win in Delhi.
