NEW DELHI: Batting maestro Virat Kohli returned to India on Sunday after the birth of his son Akaay. He is now poised to join his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore for their training camp in preparation for the upcoming IPL 2024.
Kohli had chosen to withdraw from the India-England Test series due to “personal reasons.” Subsequently, it was revealed that he took the break to be present for the birth of his son in the UK.
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Ahead of the season’s opening match between RCB and Chennai Super Kings, skipper Faf du Plessis spoke about the impact Kohli had on his batting in the IPL. Du Plessis expressed that Kohli is one of his preferred players to bat alongside.
“Batting is probably the other thing that we click on equally. You know, it is unbelievable batting with him. He’s one of my favourite guys to bat with. He brings out so much energy in me, like sometimes, I feel like I’m fist-bumping my glove through his hand because he gets so passionate. Him being out there in the middle, which is really infectious, the way he gives that energy, and I remember being in the opposition and how that really is,” Du Plessis told Star Sports.

Du Plessis also emphasised that Kohli brings the same amount of energy when it comes to fielding and his presence on the field holds a huge significance for him.
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“Let’s hope for that amount of energy, because it was like this guy is just always on. How did you manage it? So it’s really infectious, the same thing on the field, because, like catching balls, we are both very competitive, and I make sure we get those good catches for the team. So he’s really important to me in terms of the field. I think, indeed, so many things fast as a team. But fielding is, he said, so he sets the time for the energy on the field,” the RCB skipper added.

Despite Kohli’s brilliance for the side over the years, RCB are still yet to get their hands on the coveted IPL trophy.
Kohli aggregated 639 runs in last year’s IPL.