Virat Kohli's 28th birthday celebrations in pictures

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli is busy gearing up for the upcoming five-Test series against England which begins with the series opener at Rajkot on Wednesday and there is no doubting that once the series kicks off, Kohli will be determined as ever to continue his fine run both as a skipper and with the bat. No wonder then that Kohli, who turned 28 on Saturday, decided to celebrate the special day with his Indian teammates and of course, his love interest Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.

Kohli has been in outstanding run with the bat in 2016 with the right-handed batsman a prime contender for the batsman of the year in all three formats of the game at the end-of-year award ceremonies. He may be aggressive on the pitch but off it, he is a leader who commands respects and admiration as was seen by the way his teammates celebrated after cutting the birthday cake on Saturday.

The Indian team celebrates Virat Kohli’s birthday at the team hotel in Rajkot on Saturday

The above picture shows Kohli being smeared in cake by not just a senior pro in the side like Ravichandran Ashwin but also a rookie in Hardik Pandya who only recently earned his first call-up to the Test side. A clear sign of how players enjoy Virat’s leadership no matter how aggressive he may look on the outside.

Virat too was in high spirits throughout the celebrations and why not? With a tough, lengthy series against Alastair Cook’s England who were the last team to get the better of India in a Test series at home the last time they toured India in 2012, it is always better to unwind and maintain a healthy dressing room atmosphere.

One of the images posted by Kohli on his official Facebook page showing him celebrating with Umesh Yadav

Kohli didn’t forget to make a date with his girlfriend Anushka Sharma either as the latter flew into Rajkot after earlier joining Kohli at an ISL match in Goa. The celebrations orchestrated by Anushka had a true Bollywood touch to it with Kohli’s hotel room decorated with balloons in heart shape and with flowers.

Kohli’s room decorated with flowers and balloons on the occasion of his birthday

Anushka conveying birthday wishes to Kohli in typical Bollywood fashion

The best part was, however, the birthday cake prepared in the shape of a cricket ground with ‘Happy Birthday Virat’ inscribed on it rounding off a superb day of celebrations for the immensely talented cricketer.

The special birthday cake Anushka designed for Kohli on his 28^th birthday