[WATCH] Virat Kohli playfully mocks Arshdeep Singh’s run-up during training in India

During the practice session, Kohli appeared relaxed and cheerful, laughing with teammates as he playfully imitated Arshdeep’s run-up. The moment quickly grabbed attention and reflected the positive atmosphere within the Indian camp. Both Kohli and Arshdeep enter the series in good form after putting in impressive performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-2026.

Kohli played in two matches during the tournament and scored 208 runs at an excellent average of 104 and a strike rate of 128.39. His tally included a fifty and a magnificent century, with the standout knock being a brilliant 131 off 101 balls against Andhra Pradesh.

Arshdeep also enjoyed a productive VHT campaign, representing Punjab in two matches. The left-arm pacer picked up seven wickets at an excellent average of 8.57 while maintaining an economy rate of less than 4. His best performance came against Sikkim where he achieved impressive figures of 5/34.

In ODIs, Kohli has already established himself as one of the greatest hitters of all time. He scored 14,557 runs in 308 matches, the second highest in the format, at an exceptional average of 58.46, including 76 fifties and 53 centuries. Against New Zealand, Kohli has amassed 1,657 runs in 33 ODIs and is poised to become India’s leading run-scorer against the Black Caps.

He has also hit six centuries against them, with another hundred sets, making him the batsman with the most ODI centuries against New Zealand. His best performance against the Kiwis came in 2016 at the IS Bindra Stadium, where he scored an unbeaten 154.

Arshdeep, meanwhile, is still relatively new to the 50-plus format. He has played 14 ODIs so far, taking 22 wickets in 13 innings at an average of 24.90, a strike rate of 28.2 and an economy of 5.29. His best ODI figures stand at 5/37. Although he has played in three ODIs against New Zealand without taking a wicket.

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