'Hottest Cricketer': Virat Kohli Shares New Picture Before Asia Cup and Netizens Are Loving It

Virat Kohli has been absent from the pitch for some time, as the top batsman is taking a sabbatical until the Asia Cup in 2023. He returned home after playing two Tests and an ODI against the West Indies, but he has continued to train in preparation for Team India's trip to Sri Lanka for the continental championship.

The Asia Cup begins on August 30, and the men in blue will kick off their campaign against archrivals Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2.

He was one of the senior players that sat out the T20I series against the West Indies and Ireland. However, the ex-Indian has not missed a single day of training.

Kohli continues to share photographs and videos of his exercise routine, but his new look has suddenly become the buzz of the town. On Monday, he posted a photo of himself on the microblogging service X (previously Twitter), and admirers are adoring it.

This is how fans reacted

Kohli posted the selfie just hours before India's selection for the Asia Cup 2023 was revealed. On Monday, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma held a press conference to identify the 17-member team that will compete in the continental event.

There were concerns about Rahul and Iyer's fitness after they returned from thigh and back surgeries, respectively. Iyer last played in March, while Rahul last played for India in May.

Sanju Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter, has been brought to the squad as a replacement for Rahul, who has just developed a niggle.

Pacer Prasidh Krishna, who is currently recovering from an injury, has also been named to the Asia Cup team. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma has joined the squad after an outstanding performance in his first T20 series in the West Indies.