'Kia hua wo theek to hai na?' - Fans react as Virat Kohli fails to join Team India in Thiruvananthapuram for second World Cup warm-up match

Team India arrived in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, October 1 for their second warm-up match ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. India will take on the Netherlands at the Greenfield International Stadium on Tuesday, October 3 in what will be the final practice match for both teams ahead of the marquee event. The premier 50-over tournament will kick off on October 5 and run until November 19 across 10 different Indian cities.

All 10 participants have been allowed two warm-up matches each to play and get used to the Indian conditions. India's first practice match against England was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to rain. On the other hand, the Netherlands could only warm up their bowlers as rain wreaked havoc in the second innings against Australia. So even though the forecast is not favourable for Tuesday, India and the Netherlands will look to get a complete game.

Meanwhile, former Indian captain Virat Kohli was missing from the Indian cricket team unit that arrived in Thiruvananthapuram. The coaching staff led by head coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and his teammates were seen arriving at the airport and then at the team hotel. Kohli's absence had led to speculations that he would not play in the warm-up match.

Were the rumours true?

However, according to reports, a source close to the Indian Cricket Board has confirmed that Kohli had sought special permission to fly back to Mumbai from Guwahati due to a family emergency. The batting stalwart will reportedly join the team camp on Monday and will also be available for the final practice match against the Netherlands.

There were earlier reports that Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma are going to be parents soon. With reports of Kohli not joining the team due to personal reasons, fans began to believe that the rumours were true. “Anushka is expecting her second baby. Like the last time, they will formally share the news with the world at a later stage,” a source close to the development told Hindustan Times. The star couple has a daughter named named Vamika who was born in January 2021.

Here's how fans reacted: 

What happened? Personal emergency as in? Are the rumours true?

— Anuraj Kumar (@BeAnuraj) October 1, 2023

MIGHT BE A SURPRISE 😍😍😍😍✨✨🤩🤩🤩

— the DUGOUT ! (@teams_dream) October 1, 2023

I think the rumours are real

— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) October 1, 2023

Kohli becoming a dad for the second time

— yang goi (@GongR1ght) October 1, 2023

Hope everything is fine with the King 🙌 Best wishes ❤️

— Chatur (Not an Idiot) (@mpbsvs) October 1, 2023

Because he and Anushka are going to be parents again❤️

— waqas (@icricketfreak) October 1, 2023

Kia hua virat ko wo theek to hai na?

— Zarnab. (@achaw_sahiiii) October 2, 2023

Virat 3rd child after vamika and Pakistan

— pankaj Ahalgama (@AhalgamaPankaj) October 1, 2023

So rumours are true
3rd child loading

— Д|)↑ (@iam_a_d_i_) October 1, 2023

Is New Born Baby news is real ??

— Utkarsh (@utkarshh_tweet) October 1, 2023