[Watch] Ground staff member touches Virat Kohli's feet ahead of IND vs BAN 2nd Test 2024
One of the ground staff members at Green Park in Kanpur made a heartwarming gesture by touching Team India star Virat Kohli's feet ahead of the second Bangladesh Test on September 27. Due to heavy rain the day before, the toss was delayed due to a wet outfield.
Finally, as the ground staff members were removing the covers with the Indian players warming up, one of them ran towards Kohli as he was walking towards the pitch to have batting practice.
Here is a video of the touching moment:
While Kohli's phenomenal accomplishments on the field have garnered such gestures over the years, his recent form has been iffy at best.
The 35-year-old has managed only a lone half-century in his previous 17 international innings - the 76 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Kohli returned to Tests in the first Bangladesh clash in Chennai after missing the entire five-match Test home series against England earlier this year.
However, he only mustered scores of 6 and 17 in the two innings despite India's commanding 280-run win.
Team India will look for its ace batter to return to his best with the important tour of Australia coming up in November.
Play underway after an hour's delay at Kanpur
The second India-Bangladesh Test finally started after an hour's delay due to a wet outfield in Kanpur. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma made a surprising decision by winning the toss and bowling first, contrary to common belief.
The hosts also went with the same three seamers and two spinners combination as the first Test, meaning left-arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will warm the benches for a second consecutive game.
Bangladesh openers began well, racing to 26/0 in the ninth over before pacer Akash Deep struck twice. The right-arm pacer removed Zakir Hasan for a 24-ball duck before dismissing a well-set Shadman Islam for 24.
The double strike reduced Bangladesh from 26/0 to 29/2 in the space of 22 deliveries.
As things stand, the visitors are in rebuild mode with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran batter Mominul Haque adding an unbeaten 13 for the third wicket, taking the side to 42/2 after 14 overs.