From Virat Kohli’s secret jokes to his grey beard reminder: Behind-the-scenes from India's T20 WC victory flight revealed

The Indian cricket team had an unforgettable flight from Barbados to Delhi, and the atmosphere was just out of the world with the players soaking and enjoying the moment of being T20 World Cup 2024 champions.

India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final to lift the trophy on June 29. The journey was transformed into an unexpected celebration, showcasing the camaraderie and light-heartedness of the Indian cricket team.

Virat Kohli’s secret joke and the Indian team’s celebration post-T20 World Cup 2024 win revealed

While the pilot earlier shared the detailed moments of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma's playful reprimand of a player, new anecdotes from sports journalist Vimal Kumar revealed never-before-heard behind-the-scenes moments from the flights.

As the team boarded the aircraft, Rohit made a humorous remark, warning the journalist not to start taking pictures, making videos, or taking interviews right away.

This sparked a lighthearted exchange with Virat Kohli, who, dressed in black, joined in the teasing.

Kohli playfully engaged with the journalist, leading to a secret joke between them. However, the senior journalist didn’t reveal the specific details of the joke; it was evidently a source of amusement for the entire group.

Adding to the hilarious details, Kohli and Kumar managed to keep the joke a secret from Suryakumar Yadav, who was curious but left in the dark about the private jet during the flight, offering a glimpse into the lighter side of the team.

I turned around and saw it was Virat Kohli: Journalist

Vimal Kumar said on the 'Two Sloggers' podcast: “The entire flight back was like a party. When I was entering the flight, Rohit said jokingly, 'don't get started with your camera’. Then I heard a voice from behind: 'Yes, he goes everywhere with his camera.' I turned around and saw it was Virat Kohli. Kohli was in black.

Both openers started teasing me, so Virat said, 'We are openers; we will hit from the first ball'. Then Virat and I shared a joke, which I can't disclose since it is personal. That was related to a third person whom I can't name. So, we all started laughing. Surya was behind; when he came asking what the joke was about, I and Virat kept it as a secret from him.”

The journalist, who has known Kohli since his Under-19 days, had an extended conversation with the former Indian skipper and BCCI secretary Jay Shah. As they recalled about Kohli's journey from an aspiring 18-year-old to one of the biggest names in cricket, the journalist reflected on Kohli’s remarkable rise to fame.

Look at my beard. It has gone all grey: Kohli

Despite his legendary status and widespread acclaim, Kumar saw Kohli as the same person he had always known.

In a playful twist, Kohli humorously pointed out his own changes. He drew attention to his grey beard, suggesting that his appearance had evolved, even as he maintained his core self.

Kohli said, “What are you saying? How have I not changed? Look at my beard. It has gone all grey.” Notably, India will be next hosting Bangladesh in a two-match Test series next month, starting on September 19 in Chennai.