One of the most popular athletes in not only India but right across the world, there may not be an overseas country where Virat Kohli’s star shines brighter than in Australia. A rival player who faces a lot of appreciation from the Australian public, Virat Kohli notched up his seventh Test century in Australia, continuing to enjoy life down under with bat in hand.
Australia’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Tim Watts’ Instagram post featuring ace India batter Virat Kohli has become the toast of social media over the last two days. Quite a few Australian ministers and esteemed personalities were seen clicking and posting pictures with him after the Indian team met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted a welcome reception to the Indian cricket Team
Virat Kohli, along with the rest of the Indian squad, is currently in the Australian capital of Canberra for the tour match against the Prime Minister’s XI during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Virat Kohli and the squad were received at the Parliament House in a function ahead of the two-day match. Alongside Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, Virat Kohli also met a host of other dignitaries and cabinet ministers, one of whom took to Instagram to share his respect for the Indian cricketer and his stature even within Australian cricket.
Anthony Albanese on Thursday hosted a reception for the travelling Indian cricket team ahead of its two-two-day pink ball practice game against PM’s XI in Canberra from November 30. Australian assistant minister of foreign affairs Tim Watts shared an image of him alongside Virat Kohli, along with a glowing message for the cricket star.
Australia’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Tim Watts enjoys meeting Virat Kohli during BGT 2024-25
Team India’s ace batter Virat Kohli enjoys a tremendous following in Australia. The seasoned campaigner even earned massive praise from an Australian minister during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The Indian players met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday, November 28. During the meeting, a few Australian ministers also interacted with the Team India cricketers.
Taking to his Instagram account, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts expressed his excitement at meeting Kohli. He also mentioned that he supports the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Sharing a picture with Virat Kohli, Watts wrote:
“A bit of a thrill to meet the Australian and Indian players in the PM’s XI game at Parliament House tonight. I told @virat.kohli that I support @royalchallengers.bengaluru in the @iplt20 because it’s the only opportunity I get to legitimately barrack for him. I give him the highest praise I can offer any international cricketer when I say that I’ve loved watching him play because he plays like an Australian. Just not when he’s playing AGAINST Australia of course…”
Team India will now take part in a two-day practice match against Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, beginning on November 30. India currently lead the five-match series 1-0, courtesy of their comprehensive 295-run victory in the opening Test in Perth.
Virat Kohli ended his Test century drought with a brilliant knock at Perth
Virat Kohli had come under the scanner for his red-ball form following a string of underwhelming performances in the format. The former India captain was dismissed for just five runs in the Perth Test of the BGT 2024-25 series. However, the right-hander made amends with an unbeaten 100-run knock in the subsequent essay. He notched up his 30th Test ton, hitting a hundred in Test cricket after a gap of 491 days.
Virat Kohli getting back to form is an ominous sign for Team India in the crucial BGT 2024-25 series. He has a stellar record on Australian soil, having scored 1,457 runs from 27 Test innings at an average of 56.03.