India National Cricket Team modern-day batting great, Virat Kohli, is all set to return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time since the stampede incident that took place outside the venue post-RCB’s maiden IPL triumph.
Virat Kohli is set to play the matches for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, but the entry of the fans is set to be barred by the Karnataka government.
Virat Kohli returns as Karnataka govt blocks crowd at Chinnaswamy
The modern-day batting legend, Virat Kohli, was training in Alibaug ahead of his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi after a 16-year absence. He is likely to play at least two group-stage games in Bengaluru for his domestic team.
Anywhere Virat Kohli plays is a grand occasion as the fans turn out in big numbers to watch the legendary cricketer. With Kohli also being at the fag end of his career, no fan wants to miss a chance to witness his aura live from the stands.
However, the Bengaluru fans would be disappointed with the latest report from ESPNCricinfo, which suggests that the Karnataka government will soon issue a strict order to the KSCA to stage matches behind closed doors at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Earlier, KSCA hinted at the possibility of opening two stands for the general public, which could’ve seated between 2000-3000 spectators if full. However, the Karnataka government cited “potential security and compliance issues” and denied giving the permission.
“ESPNcricinfo understands the state government wants to prevent chaos around the venue during the holiday season, given the stature of players in participation,” the report read.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant will also be playing for Delhi alongside Virat Kohli, and the duo arrived in the city late on Monday night. They will likely train with the Delhi squad on Tuesday.
He’s a fierce competitor but a fun-loving guy – Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli
Speaking on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, former India batter and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor, Dinesh Karthik, said that Kohli is a fierce competitor, but at the same time, he is a fun-loving guy. He said:
“He’s a fierce competitor but a fun-loving guy outside of it. He’s just a normal human being like any one of us. It’s just that he is an extraordinary world champion batter. That’s one side of him.
“The other side of him is a normal human being who is from Delhi who cracks those jokes like any Delhiite would. A great family man, and I have immense respect for him, and I’ve always had a very good, healthy, respectful relationship with him all through.”
I think he is a man who is made for the big moments – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik further lavished rich praise on Kohli, saying that he is the man for the big moments. He elaborated:
“Yes, I’m a bit older than him. But it’s not the age difference that has earned my earned the respect we have in the relationship. It’s just how we have treated one another over a period of time and we’ve seen some proper ups and proper lows as well. And I think what I see in him is the boy that I see when I met him for the first time and I have loved his growth in the sport.
“I think he is a man who is made for the big moments because he wants it more than anybody else. There are people who when the big moment comes, they’re like, ‘Oh, what do I do?’ And he before the start of the game wants that moment to be his.”
