• Source:JND
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India's star batter Virat Kohli has an unmatched fan base and popularity across the globe it was full on display after the team's third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai.

Ahead of his 36th birthday on November 5, a fan gifted Kohli a hand-painted portrait of lord Hanuman ji personally delivered to the veteran cricketer's hotel room in Mumbai.

Known for showing his spiritual side, Kohli must have been touched by such a thoughtful gesture.

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Kohli seemed delighted as he interacted with the fan and received the gift. He has always appreciated his fans' love for him, often acknowledging their support with heartwarming gestures that make his admirers feel valued over the years.

The former Indian captain had a tough outing in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand at home which the Rohit Sharma-led side lost 3-0.

This was India's first-ever Test series defeat at home after 12 years, having lost the last one way back in 2012.

In India's home Test season this year, Kohli managed just 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.33 with just one fifty to his name. He scored 93 in three Tests against New Zealand.

Kohli's surprising struggle against spinners has been fully on display, especially since 2020 as his average in India dipped from 72.45 (2013-2019) to 32.86, with 24 of his 57 dismissals in this period coming against them.

He has been dismissed by the left-arm spinners 12 times out of 58 dismissals since 2020.

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In the recent home season alone, he was out four times to left-arm spinners, once each to Shakib Al Hasan and Ajaz Patel and twice to Mitchell Santner.

Kohli will be looking to make it count in the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the five-match Test series against Australia has become crucial for India to make it to the World Test Championship final.

In 25 Test matches, Kohli has scored 2042 against Australia at an average of 47.48 with eight hundreds.