Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma shared a delightful moment with a fangirl, who requested him to convey her admiration to Virat Kohli, bringing a smile to his face as he promised to pass along the message.
India captain Rohit Sharma was seen engaging in a light-hearted conversation with a fangirl ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The former Mumbai Indians skipper, who enjoys a massive fan following across the country, is known for interacting with fans both on and off the field, with the 37-year-old often meeting their requests.
A video that has gone viral on social media shows a young fangirl asking Rohit Sharma for an autograph ahead of the second Test. During their brief conversation, the girl also couldn’t resist requesting Rohit to pass along a message to Virat Kohli. The video has quickly gained attention, with fans appreciating the playful interaction with the T20 World Cup 2024-winning captain.
“Virat bhai ko bolna bohot badi fan ayi thi (Tell Virat bhai that a huge fan had come)”, she told.
The exchange brought a smile to Rohit’s face, and he warmly assured the fangirl that he would indeed pass along her message, responding with a cheerful “Bolta hun (I will let him know).”
Like Rohit, Virat Kohli boasts a massive fanbase in India, placing him alongside former India captain MS Dhoni at the pinnacle of popularity.
Reflecting on India’s performance in the first Test, the hosts were dismal across all departments, particularly in batting, which resulted in a new low for the team in the longest format. The top-order batters faltered significantly, with India being bowled out for just 46 runs. Remarkably, five of the top eight batters in the playing XI, including Virat Kohli, were dismissed for a duck.
However, in their second innings, both Virat and Rohit redeemed themselves with half-centuries, and hopes for an Indian comeback were bolstered by Sarfaraz Khan’s century. Unfortunately, the batting lineup faltered once more, failing to post a competitive total. The Kiwis ultimately chased down the target of 107 runs with eight wickets in hand.
With the pressure of qualifying for the World Test Championship final intensifying, India needs at least three wins and a draw in their remaining matches to secure a spot in the WTC final for the third consecutive time. The second Test in Pune presents a significant opportunity for Rohit Sharma and his team to rectify the mistakes made in Bengaluru. This penultimate Test of the series will take place at the MCA Stadium from October 24 onwards.