Former India captain Virat Kohli attended India’s crucial Group A match against Australia in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Kohli was accompanied by his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, and former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Former opening batter Shikhar Dhawan was also present in the stands as Team India battled for a place in the tournament’s semi-finals.
The appearance of the cricket legends generated tremendous excitement among spectators, with loud chants of “Kohli, Kohli” echoing around Lord’s whenever cameras focused on the former captain.
Star Support for Harmanpreet Kaur and Team India
India entered the contest knowing that only a victory over defending champions Australia would keep their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign alive.
Kohli, Anushka Sharma and Ravi Shastri closely followed the action from the stands as captain Harmanpreet Kaur led India’s batting effort in the high-pressure encounter.
Their presence added to the electric atmosphere inside one of cricket’s most iconic venues.
India Posts Competitive Total in Do-or-Die Match
After winning the toss, Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first.
India responded with an impressive batting performance, posting 170 runs on the scoreboard.
Captain Harmanpreet led from the front with a blistering 56 off 27 deliveries, while Smriti Mandhana (38), Shafali Verma (34) and Jemimah Rodrigues (34) made valuable contributions to help India reach a challenging total.
The innings gave the bowlers a strong platform in a match where defeat would end India’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Harmanpreet Explains Batting Decision
Speaking at the toss, Harmanpreet Kaur said the team wanted to play fearless cricket despite the pressure.
She confirmed one change in the playing XI, with Kranti Goud replacing Nandini Kashyap.
According to the India skipper, the surface suited Kranti’s bowling style, and the team aimed to enjoy the occasion while playing positive cricket.
South Africa’s Victory Increased Pressure
India’s qualification hopes became even more challenging after South Africa defeated Bangladesh earlier in the day.
The Proteas’ victory meant India needed a win against Australia to stay in contention for the semi-finals, turning the contest into a virtual knockout match.
Virat Kohli Set to Return for England ODI Series
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is preparing for his return to international cricket.
The batting star recently missed India’s ODI series against Afghanistan because of a hamstring injury sustained during the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad.
After successfully completing his fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, Kohli has been declared fit for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, beginning on July 14.
His appearance at Lord’s highlighted his continued support for Indian cricket across both the men’s and women’s teams.
Fans Create Memorable Atmosphere at Lord’s
The sight of Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Ravi Shastri and Shikhar Dhawan supporting the women’s team added another memorable moment to India’s World Cup campaign.
As the crowd erupted in applause and chants for Kohli, the atmosphere reflected the growing popularity of women’s cricket and the strong backing the Indian team enjoys from current and former cricket stars.
