Star India batter Virat Kohli is set to make his return to international cricket in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, and even before the first ball is bowled, he has already set social media buzzing.

The three-match ODI series begins on Sunday, January 11, with the opening game scheduled in Vadodara. Ahead of the contest, Kohli has been putting in long hours at the nets and recently shared a series of pictures from the training sessions. However, it was a light-hearted video from practice that truly caught fans’ attention.

Kohli’s fun moment at training

In the viral clip, Kohli can be seen hilariously mimicking pacer Arshdeep Singh’s distinctive run-up style during a net session. The impromptu act left teammates in splits and showcased the relaxed, cheerful atmosphere in the Indian camp ahead of the high-profile series.

Known for his intensity on the field, Kohli has also often displayed his entertainer side, and this moment was another reminder of the camaraderie within the squad during training.

Return after domestic stint

The ODI series marks Kohli’s return to international cricket after featuring in a couple of domestic matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His comeback is keenly awaited by fans, especially with a packed international calendar ahead.

Big series before World Cup

After the ODI leg, India and New Zealand will also contest a five-match T20I series. The upcoming white-ball fixtures are being seen as crucial preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin next month.

With senior players looking sharp in training and spirits high in the camp, Team India will hope to build momentum and combinations ahead of the global tournament.

India squad for ODI series vs New Zealand

  • Shubman Gill (Captain)
  • Shreyas Iyer (Vice-captain)
  • Rishabh Pant (WK)
  • KL Rahul (WK)
  • Virat Kohli
  • Rohit Sharma
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • Washington Sundar
  • Ravindra Jadeja
  • Mohammed Siraj
  • Kuldeep Yadav
  • Harshit Rana
  • Prasidh Krishna
  • Nitish Kumar Reddy
  • Arshdeep Singh

As fans eagerly await Kohli’s return in blue, his playful moment in the nets has already added an extra layer of excitement to the build-up.