India national cricket team’s modern batsman Virat Kohli is set to return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first time after the stampede incident outside the venue following RCB’s maiden IPL win.
Virat Kohli is set to play for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, but the Karnataka government has banned the entry of fans.
Virat Kohli returns as Karnataka government stops crowd at Chinnaswamy
Great modern-day batsman Virat Kohli was training in Alibaug ahead of his comeback for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after an absence of 16 years. He is likely to play at least two group-stage matches for his home team in Bengaluru.
Wherever Virat Kohli plays it is a grand occasion as fans come in large numbers to watch this great cricketer. Kohli is also in the last phase of his career, no fan wants to miss the chance to see his aura live from the stands.
However, Bengaluru fans will be disappointed with the latest report from ESPN Cricinfo suggesting that the Karnataka government will soon issue strict orders to KSCA to hold matches behind closed doors at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Earlier, KSCA had hinted at the possibility of opening two stands for the general public, which could seat between 2000-3000 spectators when full. However, the Government of Karnataka cited “potential security and compliance issues” and refused permission.
“ESPNcricinfo understands that the state government wants to prevent chaos around the venue given the participation of players during the holiday season,” the report said.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant will also play for Delhi along with Virat Kohli and both reached the city late on Monday night. He will probably train with the Delhi team on Tuesday.
He is a fierce competitor but a fun-loving guy – Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli
Speaking on Beard Before Wicket podcast, former India batsman and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) mentor, Dinesh Karthik said that Kohli is a fierce competitor, but at the same time, he is a fun-loving person. He said:
“He’s a fierce competitor, but outside of that he’s a fun guy. He’s a normal human being like any of us. It’s just that he’s an extraordinary world champion batsman. That’s one side of him.
“The other side of him is a normal human being who is from Delhi who tells jokes like any Delhiite. A great family man, and I have a lot of respect for him, and I have always had a very good, healthy, respectful relationship with him.”
I think he is someone who is made for big moments – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik was full of praise for Kohli and said that he is the right man for the big moments. He elaborated:
“Yes, I’m a little older than him. But it’s not the age difference that has earned me respect in the relationship. It’s just how we’ve treated each other over time and we’ve had some fair ups and downs. And I think what I see in him is he’s the same guy I saw when I first met him and I’ve liked his progress in the game.
“I think he’s a guy who is made for big moments because he wants it more than anyone else. There are guys who when big moments come, they’re like, ‘Oh, what do I do?’ And he wants that moment to be his before the game even starts.”
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