King Kohli Is Back, and Perth Went Absolutely Wild!

Perth: If there was any doubt about Virat Kohli's star power, what happened outside the Optus Stadium on Saturday put all those questions to rest. The Indian batting legend received a hero's welcome from hundreds of fans who had gathered just to catch a glimpse of him before the optional practice session. And the scenes were nothing short of chaotic—in the best way possible!

Kohli, who is making his international comeback after nearly eight months, was greeted with deafening cheers as he arrived at the stadium. Fans screamed his name, waved jerseys, and held up posters. Some even went shirtless to show off their Virat Kohli tattoos, hoping the star would notice them.

The Love Was Real

In a video that quickly went viral on social media, Kohli can be seen walking through a sea of fans, smiling and waving. He stopped multiple times to sign autographs on jerseys, posters, caps, shoes—you name it. One young boy was so overcome with emotion after getting Kohli's autograph that he sprinted around the area in pure joy, unable to contain his excitement.

Another video showed a couple going absolutely berserk after Kohli signed something for them. They hugged each other and jumped around like they'd just won the lottery. That's the kind of impact Kohli has on people—he's not just a cricketer, he's an emotion.

At least 400 fans were packed against the fences, all hoping to get a moment with the former Indian captain. Some brought full-sized cricket bats, others held their children on their shoulders so they could see him better. The scene looked more like a rock concert than a cricket practice session.

Practice First, Fans Second

Before meeting the fans, Kohli spent about 40 minutes in the nets, working on his batting with throwdowns and facing Mohammed Siraj. He looked sharp, timing the ball beautifully and hitting those trademark cover drives that fans have missed so much. It was clear that despite the long break, he hasn't lost any of his batting rhythm.

While Kohli was busy making fans' dreams come true, his longtime teammate Rohit Sharma was in the nets getting his practice in. Both legends are returning to international cricket after their Champions Trophy triumph in March, and the excitement around their comeback is massive.

Gill on Leading His Idols

New captain Shubman Gill, who will be leading India in the ODI series, spoke about what it means to captain players he once idolized. "They are the kind of players, when I was a kid I used to idolise. The kind of game that they used to play, the kind of hunger that they had are something that inspired me," Gill said.

He added that it's a huge honor to lead legends like Rohit and Virat, and he won't hesitate to ask for their advice when needed. "Whenever I think I would be in a bit of a difficult situation, I wouldn't shy away from getting any suggestions or advice from them," the 26-year-old said.

Gill also revealed that he's learned a lot from both players about how to communicate with teammates and bring the best out of them. "How they converse and what kind of communication and messaging that they had with the players is something that helped me get the best out of myself when I was playing under them," he explained.

The Perth Connection

This kind of reception isn't surprising when you consider Kohli's relationship with Australia. He has consistently performed brilliantly Down Under, and Australian fans—even those who once heckled him—have grown to respect and admire him over the years.

With over 175,000 tickets sold for the three-match series and the Perth game completely sold out, it's clear that fans are desperate to see Kohli in action one more time. For many, this could be his last tour to Australia, which makes every moment even more special.

What's Next

The first ODI starts today at 9:00 AM IST at the Optus Stadium. After months away from the game, Kohli will finally step onto the field wearing the blue jersey again. If his reception from fans is anything to go by, he's going to have thousands of people cheering for him—and that's just the Indian supporters!

For now, the warm-up is over. The autographs have been signed, the selfies have been taken, and the practice has been completed. It's time for the King to do what he does best—score runs and win matches for India.