That Virat Kohli is a fierce competitor is known to all. On the field, rarely does anyone surpass the intensity of the Indian cricket team star. Be it for his national team or for his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli is always there to stand for his side. In the IPL 2024, Kohli is among the top-scorers, having scored 316 runs in five matches at an average of 105.33. His strike-rate is 146.30. However, his team has lost four out of five matches. RCB face Mumbai Indians on Thursday.
In RCB's previous match against Rajasthan Royals, Kohli scored 113* - which is his joint highest in the IPL. During the course of the match, one of Kohli's gesture is going viral. After hitting a four off RR's Avesh Khan, Kohli made a gesture which seemed like he was mock-banging his hand in the air.
Aveash Khan and RCB has a bit of history. During an IPL 2023 match between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants, Avesh's former franchise, the player reacted in an aggressive way. Avesh was on the pitch when his side successfully completed a run-chase against RCB, and threw his helmet on the ground in celebration. The gesture saw Avesh earning a hefty fine late.
Kohli looked like mocking that gesture.
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Meanwhile, lauding Virat Kohli for "setting a benchmark" in fitness, Indian men's team chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the star batter's fitness habits, which consist of strict diet and fitness regimes, have progressed to the younger generation of players.
Virat is currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, representing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). With the T20 World Cup starting from June 1 onwards, this tournament is his chance to prove that his slightly more conservative approach to T20 cricket, which mixes aggressive hitting with anchoring skills, is still a great model to follow these days when batters are going big from ball one.
Speaking on SportifywithPRG podcast, Agarkar said, "You look at guys like Virat (Kohli), he is one of those guys who set the benchmark."
"10-15 years into his career, he has only got fitter, you can see the results. If someone like him sets an example and puts forward certain things that you need or certain fitness levels that you need, gradually it progresses across the ecosystem."
"Gradually it has progressed (to the younger generation). The one difference you have seen over the last 15-20 years or so is the fitness levels of players," concluded Agarkar.
With ANI inputs