In a heartwarming display of team camaraderie, Virat Kohli was seen in “full goofball mode” during the Indian cricket team’s training session on January 9, 2026, at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Ahead of the three-match ODI series opener against New Zealand, Kohli stole the spotlight not just with his batting drills,
but by playfully mimicking the unique bowling run-up of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. In a video that immediately went viral across social media platforms, Kohli was captured imitating Arshdeep’s distinctive high-knee sprint and energetic delivery stride with comedic exaggeration. The sight of the former captain channeling the pacer’s “bounce” left his teammates in splits, particularly Rohit Sharma, who was seen watching from behind with a wide grin, clearly enjoying the banter.
This light-hearted moment reflects a mentally refreshed Kohli, who enters the 2026 season in sensational form. He was recently named Player of the Series in South Africa, where he averaged a staggering 151 across three ODIs.
His high spirits were further evident as he shared a rare collection of training photos on Instagram—his first such on-field post in over two years—featuring himself alongside the next generation of stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana. Analysts often say that a “happy Kohli is a dangerous Kohli,” and his relaxed demeanor in Vadodara suggests he is primed to extend his dominant record against the Black Caps, against whom he has already amassed over 1,600 ODI runs.
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