Virat Kohli gives flying kiss to Anushka Sharma

Originally posted on Crictoday | By V.M.Suriya Narayanan | Last updated Mar 29, 2026 12:35 PM ET

Virat Kohli showcased his brilliance in the IPL 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad, finishing unbeaten on 69 off 38 balls. His knock, featuring five fours and as many sixes, guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dominant six-wicket win during a 202-run chase in just 15.4 overs. Following RCB'S win, the emotional moment between him and his wife, Anushka Sharma, where Kohli blew a flying kiss, quickly became the talk of social media.

When asked about the possibility of being underprepared due to his 10-month hiatus from T20 cricket, Kohli gave a thoughtful response.

"Given the intense scheduling over the last 15 years and the amount of cricket I've played, the real concern for me was more about burnout than being underprepared. These breaks have been incredibly helpful, keeping me fresh and excited," Kohli said.

Kohli made it clear that he only returns to competitive cricket when he’s more than 100 percent prepared and ready to give his best.

"Whenever I return to play, I give 120%. I’m never coming back unprepared. In fact, the added rest helps me recharge mentally. For me, it’s about performing, not just maintaining a spot," he added.

VIRAT KOHLI GIVING FLYING KISS TO ANUSHKA SHARMA AFTER WINNING THE MATCH VS SRH

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"As long as you're in good physical shape and mentally motivated, everything falls into place, allowing you to contribute to the team's success. That's what a player aims for—it's not about just holding onto a position," Kohli mentioned.

"The goal is to keep delivering strong performances and consistently contributing for the team," he explained.

On his return to T20 cricket, Kohli noted that his recent white-ball matches played a key role in keeping his rhythm intact, despite the break from the shortest format.

"It felt great to get back out there. As for T20 cricket, my last match was the final last year, but I believe the way I batted in the recent one-day series helped me maintain that same momentum,"Kohli highlighted.

"I stuck to my usual shots, so I was confident that as long as I had the rhythm and had done the necessary fitness work, things would come together. Tonight was just another chance to start well and build on it," he concluded.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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