Virat Kohli made a young Indian cricketer's day during a training session at Brabourne Stadium, the home of the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, on Monday, October 26. The 37-year-old batter stepped away from his preparations for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand to sign a net bowler's jersey, briefly conversing with the youngster and offering words of encouragement before heading back to the nets.

A video of the moment circulated widely and drew considerable attention, offering a glimpse of Kohli's interaction with a grassroots cricketer despite the heavy security protocols that typically surround him at training venues. The net bowler walked away with a signed national team jersey as a keepsake from one of Indian cricket's most recognised names. The gesture offered a clear indication of Kohli's approach toward the next generation of cricketers, many of whom have grown up watching him dominate international cricket across formats.

Why was Kohli training in Mumbai at this time?

Kohli was in Mumbai as part of India's build-up to a five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to begin on November 4. The training sessions at Brabourne Stadium have been a focal point of India's preparations, with the experienced batter using the nets to sharpen his game ahead of that international assignment.

Kohli had also recently featured in the Indian ODI squad that took on West Indies in a three-match series, making the New Zealand assignment his next commitment in the fifty-over format. With the 2027 50-over World Cup on the horizon, a tournament Kohli has stated will be his final outing for India, each ODI series carries added significance for his preparation cycle. India will look to draw on Kohli's experience and batting quality as the New Zealand series approaches, and his work in the Mumbai nets will be closely followed by fans and selectors alike.

What is India's schedule for the ODI series against New Zealand?