Watch: Virat Kohli's surprise 34th Birthday celebration with Team India
One of the greatest batsmen of all time and the former Indian skipper is celebrating his 34th birthdays today, November 5. Virat Kohli is currently with the Indian team in Australia for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022.
India has done pretty well in the competition and is sitting at the top of its group with three wins in four games. The only loss came against South Africa, but they started their campaign with an incredible win over archrival Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
And it will not be a wrong statement to say that it is Virat Kohli who has laid the foundation for all three wins that India has registered in the competition. In fact, he is the leading run-scorer in the tournament with three unbeaten match-winning half centuries.
Virat has scored 220 runs in four matches at an unbelievable average of 220. He has also become the leading run-getter in the history of the T20 World Cup, surpassing former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene's tally of 1016 runs.
He has now scored 1065 runs in 24 innings at an average of 88.75 and a strike rate of 132.46. Virat has also hit 13 half-centuries, which is also the most by any batter. Notably, India's mental conditioning coach, Paddy Upton, is also celebrating his 54th birthday today.
Both Virat and Upton celebrated their birthdays with the other team members and staff at the team's hotel. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a video clip on their official Twitter account featuring Virat and Upton cutting the cake.
Birthday celebrations ON in Australia 🎂 🎉
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2022
Happy birthday @imVkohli & @PaddyUpton1 👏 👏 #TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sPB2vHVHw4
The BCCI tweeted, "Birthday celebrations ON in Australia. Happy birthday @imVkohli & @PaddyUpton1 #TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup."
On the other hand, veteran off-spinner Ravi Ashwin also told me that the Indian team celebrated Virat's birthday ahead of the practice session. The birthday wishes poured in for Virat from all over the world. Many former and current cricketers wished him well.
On the other hand, his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore, also posted a video clip featuring his great mate AB de Villiers, wishing him a happy birthday. Notably, De Villeiers is currently in Banglaore.
Dear @imVkohli,
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 5, 2022
Here is a very special wish from a very special friend. 🥳🥹#PlayBold #HappyBirthdayViratKohli @abdevilliers17 pic.twitter.com/UT7wEdnde2