‘Agar maar padh bhi jaati..’: Virat Kohli gives special pep-talk to net bowler in Vadodara – WATCH

By Samira Vishwas On Jan 11, 2026

New Delhi: Team India star batter Virat Kohli has delivered a special pep-talk to a local net bowler in Vadodara ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, January 11. Kohli has been in formidable form during the recent three-match ODI series against South Africa.

He scored 302 runs at a sensational average of 151 in three matches, a brilliant run that lifted him to second spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, just behind Rohit Sharma. In December 2025, the star batter made a comeback in domestic cricket for the first time in 15 years.

He scored 131 runs against Andhra Pradesh and 77 runs against Gujarat while playing for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In a viral video, Kohli was seen delivering a heartfelt speech to a net bowler at the Kotambi Stadium before signing a cricket ball for him.

“Agar maar padh bhi jaati hai to koi baat se, par conviction se, ki main wo ball raha hai jo mujhe dalwa raha hai, main wo ball nahi daal raha jo mujhe dalwa raha hai (Even if you get hit, it’s fine. But you should have the conviction that you are delivering a ball that you want to, not the one the batter wants you to bowl),” Kohli was heard saying in the viral video.

Virat Kohli shared his experience and gave tips to the net bowler. pic.twitter.com/XzdxvfOtCV
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) January 10, 2026

‘Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli make captain’s job easier’: Shubman Gill

Ahead of the first ODI, captain Shubman Gill praised the two senior batters, saying that Rohit is one of the greatest openers of all time, and Virat is one of the greatest ODI batters ever. He further added that when they are in the team, it makes a captain’s life easier.

“Whenever you are in a tough situation, they have been in those kinds of situations and conditions many times in their life, so you can always go to them and see how they are thinking and what they would do, and that piece of information is very valuable for any captain,” Shubman added.

The Men in Blue have suffered a massive blow ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand, as wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match series. Dhruv Jurel has been announced as Pant’s replacement in the squad.