Former India captain Virat Kohli made the bowlers’ day by obliging with photographs and autographs during a training session in Alibaug, a coastal town south of Mumbai. Jharkhand budding fast bowler Rithwick Pathak shared a video in which Kohli was seen signing his signature on the back of his iPhone and also flaunted a signed cricket ball on Sunday, December 21.
In a video shared on Instagram, Kohli can also be seen signing an iPhone as the netballer captured the moment using his phone’s rear camera.
“The phone may not last forever, but the video will,” Pathak captioned his post, which has garnered a lot of attention on social media.
Kohli also took time out to pose for a photo with the net bowlers who helped him sharpen his bat over the weekend in Alibaug.
“Once in a lifetime until it happens twice. Three days of hard and fast bowling for @virat.kohli was an experience like no other. Grateful for every opportunity that comes my way,” he added.
Kohli trained at Alibaug before his a return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 36-year-old has been named in Delhi’s squad for the premier domestic over-50 tournament, which begins on December 24. Kohli is expected to feature for Delhi in at least two matches at the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, although neither the Delhi & District Cricket Association nor Kohli have confirmed in which of the two matches he will play.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy group stage runs from December 24 to January 8, with the knockout rounds set to begin on January 12.
Kohli and his senior international teammates will not be available for the knockout phase of the domestic Fifties competition due to international commitments. India are set to take on the visiting New Zealand side in a three-match ODI series from January 11 to 18.
The BCCI has reportedly ordered centrally contracted Indian players to appear in at least two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches this season, continuing its efforts to prioritize domestic cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav were also named Mumbai squad for first two rounds of Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Earlier this month, India Today reported that Kohli had confirmed his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking his return to the domestic 50-over tournament after 16 years.
Over the past two months, Kohli has silenced his critics and proved once again that at 37, he remains one of the greatest ODI batsmen. Questions have been raised about his ability to stay in tune with the modern game, especially as he only plays one format after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
In the three-match ODI series against South Africa in December, Kohli was nothing short of spectacular. He dominated the series with 302 runs at a remarkable average of 151.00, including two centuries and a vital unbeaten 65 in the decider, leading India to a 2–1 series victory. His ability to manage his innings, find boundaries and play under pressure earned him the Player of the Series award and cemented his reputation as one of the best batsmen in the format.
Kohli left for London after the ODI series but returned to India in the second week of December.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
December 22, 2025
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