A deliberate but fortunate brush with Virat Kohli

It is three days to go for the massive day – India vs Australia in Rajkot, the diary’s first worldwide task.

Virat Kohli is rested for the primary two ODIs of the collection in opposition to the Kangaroos. As is the captain, Rohit Sharma. Both are to hitch the crew in Rajkot from Mumbai.

Coincidentally, the diary’s early morning journey from Chennai, in the future earlier than the match, has a layover on the identical metropolis.

“Kohli and Rohit could be on the same flight to Rajkot with the diary,” it speculates gleefully.

After all, roughly 30 hours is a protracted sufficient time to assimilate to the crew for skilled athletes. They don’t take lengthy to get going.

The thought is nice sufficient to maintain the diary occupied. However, this enthusiasm is just not reciprocated by others across the diary. They chuckle listening to it.

D Day minus 1

It is a day earlier than the massive day. The diary’s first of the 2 flights is finished, and it waits for the second to take off. 

That practice of thought, which appeared so attention-grabbing as soon as, doesn’t occupy the diary any longer. It is extra apprehensive about reaching the press convention on time. There’s a preview to write down too.

Right on cue, a gentleman makes his means via the airplane. He’s sporting a white t-shirt and a khaki colored cap, turned downwards, covers his face. 

Surrounded by two bodyguards and a platoon of his private entourage, the person briskly walks in, bends down, and takes his place on the window seat. No fuss, no commotion.

The cap is a deliberate try to cover his face however the tattoos on his forearms give Kohli away.
| Photo Credit:
ABHISHEK SAINI

Two folks sit on the row behind him, two in entrance and one on the aisle seat to his proper. The bodyguards linger round to double verify for any bother.

The folks seated round him too scan over their shoulders each minute or two.

The cap is a deliberate try to cover his face however the tattoos on his forearms give Kohli away.

Passengers feign toilet journeys to get a glimpse. The ruse barely works. All are promptly requested to maintain strolling. Not one is ready to get a protracted sufficient take a look at their beloved star. The diary’s try at a well mannered enquiry to 1 particular person from the entourage is shunned away too.

Carefully coccooned in his seat, Kohli plugs on his earphones and goes into his zone. Who is aware of what he’s pondering?

The earplugs come off simply as soon as in the course of the flight. It is to request a glass of water from the snacks cart.

Kohli’s bag is faraway from the overhead cabin nicely earlier than touchdown. They have a premonition of the storm that awaits them on contact down.

Kohli is the primary to deboard. He’s on the gate even earlier than the staircase is positioned for deboarding. 

Passengers flock into the bus carrying him, and Kohli obliges for a couple of selfies too. That’s the final glimpse the diary catches.

By now, the diary has alerted round 15 of its contacts. The ones who laughed the concept off had been the primary to learn. There was plentiful glee because it despatched the texts.

It was solely one in every of Rohit and Kohli who shared the flight, however the diary nonetheless will get an opportunity to boast, “Hey, I told you so!”