Virat Kohli Mobbed by Fans in Vadodara Ahead of India–New Zealand ODI Series

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli received a hero’s welcome on his arrival in Vadodara on Wednesday, January 7, ahead of India’s three-match One Day International series against New Zealand. Scenes outside the airport reflected Kohli’s immense popularity, as hundreds of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the batting icon, turning his arrival into a near-chaotic spectacle.

As Kohli stepped out of the terminal, chants of “Kohli, Kohli” echoed through the area, with fans surging forward to take selfies and record videos. Security personnel had to intervene swiftly as the former India captain found it difficult to move through the crowd and make his way to the team vehicle. The visuals, which quickly went viral on social media, once again underlined Kohli’s enduring star power and deep connection with fans across the country.

The warm reception comes at a time when Kohli is enjoying a strong run of form, particularly in the ODI format. The upcoming series against New Zealand marks his first international assignment of 2026, and expectations are high as he looks to continue the momentum built over the past year. Kohli ended 2025 on a positive note, scoring a fluent half-century in the final ODI of the away series in Australia, followed by an impressive showing on home soil earlier last year.

In the home ODI series against South Africa, Kohli showcased his trademark consistency, registering two consecutive centuries and a half-century, reaffirming his dominance in familiar conditions. His confidence carried into domestic cricket as well, where he turned out for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and scored a century and a fifty, further highlighting his hunger for runs.

Since stepping away from Test and T20 international cricket, Kohli has focused exclusively on the ODI format, and the results have been evident. The veteran batter has embraced the role of anchoring the innings while accelerating when required, proving that he remains one of the most reliable performers in world cricket. The New Zealand series will offer another opportunity for Kohli to set the tone for India’s ODI campaign in 2026.

Vadodara also holds a special place in Kohli’s ODI journey. The last time he played a 50-over international at the venue was back in 2010, coincidentally against New Zealand. On that occasion, a young Kohli played a composed unbeaten knock of 63 as India successfully chased down the target. That match also featured a memorable performance from Gautam Gambhir, who scored an unbeaten 126 and was named Player of the Match. Interestingly, Gambhir is now India’s head coach, adding a layer of nostalgia to Kohli’s return to the city.

The ODI series will begin in Vadodara on January 11, before moving to Rajkot for the second match on January 14. The series will conclude in Indore on January 18. With home crowds expected to turn out in large numbers and Kohli arriving in red-hot form, the spotlight will firmly be on the former captain as India look to start their 2026 international calendar on a strong note.

For fans in Vadodara, Kohli’s arrival itself felt like an event. For the Indian team, it signals the return of their most celebrated batter, ready to lead from the front once again in the ODI arena.