Former India captain Virat Kohli was felicitated by the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister in London. He will next be seen in action in the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies at home. Eknath Shinde gave a shawl and bouquet to Kohli as the two posed for the cameras. The Deputy CM was wearing formal attire while Virat was seen in a full-sleeve T-shirt.

The two spoke to each other about sports and infrastructure.

“Virat paid a goodwill visit after knowing that I was in London. I was delighted to meet him, and he is down-to-earth despite scoring the most centuries. He is a big cricketer. We had meetings in the past, but I was happy with our direct conversation. We discussed the award I received. I told him about the welfare schemes in Maharashtra. I spoke about infrastructure, and he admitted that the development in Maharashtra in the recent years is unprecedented. I shared our plans and the projects currently underway,” Eknath Shinde was quoted as saying by ANI.

In the previous ODI series against England, the right-handed batter scored 144 runs at an average of 48.00, with two fifties in three matches.

Virat Kohli wants to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup

Virat Kohli wants to be a part of the Team India squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, but the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir have refused to confirm his place. He has been among the runs in the fifty-over format despite retiring from T20Is and Test cricket.

He will be eager to perform against the Windies. In 2026, he has played six ODIs, amassing 384 runs at an average of 64.00, including a century and three fifties.

Overall, he has accumulated 14941 runs in 314 ODIs. He has recorded an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties.

Former India players are urging the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel to keep Kohli in the team for the global tournament next year as his experience will help the youngsters.

Virat is fit, and his consistency with the bat is putting the rivals on the back foot.