Virat Kohli Breaks Instagram Silence, Shares Training Photos Ahead of New Zealand ODIs

Virat Kohli has given fans an unexpected New Year surprise by sharing training photos on Instagram, ending a nearly three-year gap in posting practice-related content. The former India captain posted images from a training session in Vadodara just days before the opening ODI against New Zealand, scheduled for January 11.

The post immediately drew attention, not only because of Kohli’s stature in world cricket, but also due to the rarity of such updates from him in recent years. For the first time since the 2023 World Test Championship final, Kohli offered a glimpse into his preparation routine, something fans had been eagerly waiting to see.

The Instagram post featured three images capturing different moments from the training session. One photograph showed Kohli striking the ball confidently in the nets, another captured him participating in running drills alongside teammates, while the third showed him walking toward the practice ground with his kit bag. The images reflected a focused and disciplined approach as India gears up for an important home series.

Over the past few years, Kohli has significantly limited his social media presence. His Instagram activity has largely revolved around brand endorsements, personal travel moments with family, and posts celebrating major milestones such as India’s T20 World Cup triumph, the Champions Trophy win, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 title. Training visuals, once a common feature during his early years, had all but disappeared — making this post particularly noteworthy.

The renewed visibility comes at a time when Kohli is enjoying an impressive run of form. After returning to domestic cricket in December, he played two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, marking his first appearance in the tournament in 16 years. The 36-year-old made an immediate impact, scoring a commanding 131 followed by a fluent 77. During this phase, he also crossed the 16,000-run milestone in List A cricket, becoming the fastest player to achieve the feat and surpassing a long-standing record.

His domestic performances followed a strong ODI series against South Africa, where consistent contributions with the bat played a key role in securing a series victory. That momentum now carries into the New Zealand series, where expectations remain high.

Vadodara, hosting a men’s ODI for the first time, witnessed a massive fan turnout when Kohli arrived earlier this week. He began preparations immediately after landing, underlining his commitment to maintaining peak match readiness. The Indian side will be led by Shubman Gill, with Rohit Sharma also returning to the ODI setup after featuring in domestic matches late last year.

Kohli’s training post has sparked widespread conversation online, with fans interpreting it as a sign of renewed engagement and focus ahead of a packed international calendar. While the images themselves were simple, their timing and significance made them one of the most talked-about cricket moments on social media this week.

As India prepares to face New Zealand, Kohli’s return to sharing behind-the-scenes moments has added an extra layer of anticipation, reinforcing his influence both on and off the field.