Team India received a major boost ahead of the India–South Africa ODI series as Virat Kohli arrived in Ranchi on Tuesday. The star batter landed at the Birsa Munda Airport, where he received a warm reception from former India cricketer and current JKCA secretary Saurabh Tiwary.
Kohli, appearing calm and cheerful, acknowledged waiting fans and walked out amid heightened security arrangements. His arrival has already kicked off excitement in MS Dhoni’s hometown, which will host the first ODI on November 30 at the JSCA International Stadium.
Series Overview
With regular ODI captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer both out due to injuries, KL Rahul will lead India for this three-match series. After the Ranchi opener, the teams will move to Raipur on December 3 and Visakhapatnam on December 6 for the next two ODIs.
Kohli’s Recent Form
Kohli enters the series after a strong performance in Sydney last month, scoring an unbeaten 74 off 81 balls in India’s dominant win against Australia. The veteran also recently faced a rare low phase, having registered back-to-back ducks for the first time in his career.
With 14,255 runs and 51 centuries in 305 ODIs, he remains India’s most experienced batter and will be crucial in guiding a team missing two senior players.
Training to Begin Soon
The Indian squad is expected to start training shortly after Kohli’s arrival. Ranchi is preparing for a packed stadium as fans eagerly await the return of top-level cricket in Dhoni’s city.
India Squad for South Africa ODIs
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
2 Responses
Here is a long, wonderful comment you can use:
“What an absolutely heart-warming moment! Seeing a player of such stature arrive with so much humility and genuine warmth is truly inspiring. The positive energy in this picture is contagious — the smiles, the respect, and the excitement in the atmosphere perfectly capture how much admiration the fans and former players have for him. Moments like these remind us why cricket is more than just a sport in India; it brings people together, creates unforgettable memories, and fills us with pride. Wishing the entire team great success in the upcoming matches — may this journey be filled with brilliance, teamwork, and unforgettable performances!”
What a fantastic moment captured here! 🏏
This image perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Indian cricket fraternity and the enduring bonds forged on the field. Seeing Virat Kohli arrive in Ranchi, radiating his trademark confidence and style, for the upcoming South Africa ODIs is enough to excite any fan. But the true heartwarming touch is the warm welcome he’s receiving from the ex-India cricketer!
It speaks volumes about the respect and camaraderie that exists between the players, regardless of their current roles. Ranchi, of course, is a city synonymous with the legendary MS Dhoni, and while the article doesn’t explicitly name the ex-cricketer, the city’s connection makes this welcome feel extra special and almost symbolic.
Kohli looks relaxed and focused, ready to put his best foot forward for the national team. The presence of the former player adds an emotional layer—it’s a passing of the torch, a friendly reunion, or perhaps just a genuine show of support. It’s a beautiful reminder that once you’re part of the Indian cricket family, that connection lasts forever. Here’s wishing Virat and the entire team the very best for the ODI series!