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Team India and its stars including Virat Kohli will head back home after the humbling series loss to Sri Lanka. The 2-0 series was the first ever occurrence in 27 years that the Indian side lost to Sri Lanka in an ODI series.
As the teams were making their way to the hotel in the team bus, lots of fans gathered to get a glimpse of Virat Kohli. The former Indian cricket captain could be seen engrossed in his phone.
'RCB' and 'Ee Sala Cup Namdhe' chants in Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/DVyogDKYGm
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 8, 2024
Many fans who were gathered around the bus started to chant RCB and also said ‘Ee Sala Cup Naamde’. The fans kept on chanting and cheering trying to grab the attention of the former Indian skipper.
Virat Kohli gives pep talk to Riyan Parag ahead of ODI debut
Meanwhile, it was a great day for young Riyan Parag as he made his ODI debut for India. The youngster got his debut cap from none other than Kohli himself. The former India skipper was seen giving a pep talk to the youngster before taking his first steps on the field.
In a short clip shared by the BCCI, Kohli could be heard saying, “Riyan, firstly congratulations for getting to play your first game for India. In today’s cricket, we all know apart from performances, people who are responsible for you guys getting selected were watching you and they’ve seen something special in you.”
Riyan Parag made an immediate impact with the ball as he scalped three wickets. Kohli also said, “And having spoken to GG Bhai, selectors, Rohit and everyone, they see something special in you."
The former Indian skipper ended by saying, “You have that ability to be a match-winner for India. I know you have that belief, I’ve known you for a while now and we all have that belief in you. No better time to step in today, 0-1 down, to start off your international career. With an impactful presence on the field ball bat and fielding as well, I wish you all the best. Cap 256, Riyan Parag."
Virat Kohli, like the rest of the Indian team, will enjoy a short break before a hard and strenuous season begins. The home season will see India host Bangladesh and New Zealand before going down under for the massive tour of Australia.