Virat Kohli challenges Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers to a game of ten-pin bowling

Team India and RCB captain Virat Kohli visited the SMAAASH arena in Bengaluru as part of the gaming centre’s one-year anniversary in the city.

In an event held at the SMAAASH outlet in Bengaluru’s 1 MG Mall, Kohli, surrounded by a sea of fans, talked about the entertainment centre that marries sports, virtual reality, music and dining into an immersive, evolved, interactive and innovative social experience for family, friends and children alike.

“It’s a pleasure to be part of SMAAASH as this has been my favourite hangout spot since its inception in the country. SMAAASH stands out for its unparalleled energy and it was always a grand feeling to visit this place and enjoy the games and the cutting edge virtual reality simulators. Congratulations SMAASH on the first anniversary in Bengaluru”, Kohli said.

On being asked which cricketer he would like to challenge for 10-pin bowling, Kohli selected AB de Villiers, his RCB teammate, as his opponent, adding that “ABD is very good. He won’t lose”.

He then extended the challenge to the birthday boy Sachin Tendulkar. “Since it is his birthday, I would like to challenge Sachin Tendulkar. If he loses, he’ll have to go through the Walk the Plank (a Virtual Reality game where you have to walk across a plank with a VR headset on) and score against the Super Keeper”.

Incidentally, Sachin Tendulkar is the Brand Ambassador of SMAAASH.

Here’s how fans at Bengaluru wished Tendulkar on his 44^th birthday:

Terming the place as an ideal destination for teenagers and young adults, Kohli said: “It is full of physical activity. I felt like it keeps me enriched. There is so much to do here. You can come here for three fours hours and enjoy, utilise your free time.

He also invited budding cricketers and fellow international stars to hone their skills at the gaming centre.

“You want to try out your skill against the best bowlers in the world, this technology is available at SMAAASH. Even professional cricketers can come and have dedicated nets to themselves and see where their skill stands when they come to the next level.

On being asked what event he would like to spend at SMAAASH, the 28-year old said “Birthday party, because the space is so big, you can bring in as many people as you want. There is so much to do here. You have food and enjoy the service over here.

On being asked which games he prefers to play at the venue, Kohli said: “Super Keeper and Walk the Plank”.

Speaking on the occasion, Shripal Morakhia, Chief Imagination Officer, SMAAASH Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., said: “Having Virat as the youth icon of SMAAASH has added an exciting dimension to the brand. His energy and zeal for sports perfectly resonates with SMAAASH and its fans, and this association has been well received by enthusiastic SMAAASH and Virat fans across India. I would like to thank Bengaluru for accepting SMAAASH and making it a go-to gaming and food and beverage destination in the garden city