Ahead of the three-match One-day international series decider against New Zealand which has been slated for October 29 (Sunday) at Kanpur, Team India skipper Virat Kohli followed by gloveman Mahendra Singh Dhoni enjoyed participating altogether in different indoor games.
The batting mainstay Kohli and senior campaigner Dhoni was delighted to play snooker which further saw several Men in Blue players lined-up following the suit to try their hands at the snooker table.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) asked a question through its Twitter handle about the activity for the respective players who are enjoying an off time before the all-important clash.
“Can there be a better team activity than playing different games on an off day?,” BCCI tweeted .
Can there be a better team activity than playing different games on an off day? #TeamIndia #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/RtnnUvo50y
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 27, 2017
So much so, even the local hero and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav tried his hand to play one of the games in the form of air hockey after making things miserable for the batsmen during his early international career.
Wow, mahi is not bad at palying pool… pic.twitter.com/tVt4nMCTyz
— Dilwar?? (@DIL__war) October 27, 2017
Moreover, the 28-year-old Kohli, whose prime focus has been fitness was further pictured in the gym, as Yuzvendra Chahal alongside Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya were working out, before getting ready for the decider against ICC’s ranked number five team in the ODI fold.
“I will sacrifice whatever is necessary to be the best.” #TeamIndia #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/HZGwdNclGg
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 27, 2017
Similarly, Virat Kohli and Co shared a memorable photograph in a pool when they were celebrating with physio Patrick Farhart after Colombo Test win before India returned home with the remarkable 9-0 scoreline in their favour against Sri Lanka.
https://www.facebook.com/IndianCricketTeam/posts/1565493223472365
On the other side, soon after the six-wicket win at Pune in Maharashtra, the seam bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya was also pictured while playing pool after boarding the flight to Kanpur.
However, before wrestling at Green Park stadium, both teams landed in Kanpur on Thursday evening (October 26) when hotel administration welcomed them with ‘saffron scarves’ instead of flowers.
Pertinently, as a part of old-tradition, the guests are usually welcomed by the showering of rose petals which further have had seen the hosts presenting garland of flowers, according to the norm.
“The plan to welcome the cricketers was inspired by chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s grand Diwali celebrations at Ayodhya,” the Managing Director of the hotel Vikas Mehrotra told the national media.
Interestingly, by maintaining the tradition to its best, the hostel administration further enlightened the hotel with around 10,000 earthen lights all over the terrace.
“The teams are coming here in the backdrop of Diwali celebrations. The management wants to give the players a feel of real Indian tradition,” Mehrotra concluded.
Earlier, in the second ODI at Pune after the pitch controversy, the Kolhi-led side made a strong comeback to chase down the meagre total after losing just four wickets.
While featuring in different games, one of the players also opted for bowling, as off day allowed the hosts to refresh to aim at another series win.
Concurrently, India is world-ranked number two in the 50-over format and Kohli has already availed the staggering numbers under his belt.
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Kohli and Dhoni, who have had set an example for many aspiring youngsters eventually garnered a massive fan-base who subsequently further witness the great support in the gentleman’s game which is being religious followed in the cricket-obsessed nation.