Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli received a lovely birthday surprise from his sister, Bhawna Kohli Dhingra, as he turned 38 on Thursday, November 5. Virat Kohli is currently in New Zealand with the India national cricket team for the ongoing five-match ODI series against the Black Caps.

Bhawna regularly celebrates Kohli’s achievements and special moments on social media. Even before the birthday post, she had praised the dashing right-hander for his brilliant match-winning performance in the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland.

Virat Kohli's sister shares adorable childhood picture on his 38th Birthday

As Virat Kohli is celebrating his 38th birthday on Thursday, the Indian batting icon’s sister Bhawna Kohli Dhingra made the occasion special by sharing two beautiful pictures on social media.

One was an adorable childhood photograph of the siblings, while the other was a recent picture from their Raksha Bandhan celebration in August this year. She also shared an emotional birthday message, expressing her love and pride for her younger brother.

In her birthday wish for the former Indian captain, Bhawna highlighted how the little boy she once knew has grown into a successful cricketer while still keeping his heart pure and his nature humble.

Sharing the pictures on her Instagram story, she wrote, “Happiest birthday, Veere. The little hands have grown, and so has the heart! Your pure soul keeps you humble, and that makes me so proud of you.”

Virat Kohli's blazing knock guides India to victory

India started the five-match ODI series with a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4, all thanks to a stunning knock from Kohli.

The Indian bowlers restricted New Zealand to 185 runs in 40.2 overs. However, rain interrupted the match, and India was given a revised target of 143 runs in 32 overs. Kohli once again led the chase and played a superb knock of 74 runs from just 51 balls at a strike rate of 145.1.

The star batter’s innings included 13 fours and one six and helped India reach the target in only 22.4 overs. It was also his 80th half-century in ODI cricket. Kohli has been in outstanding form this year. He has scored 626 runs in 10 matches at an impressive average of 69.55 and a strike rate of 120.61. His tally includes two centuries and four half-centuries.

Ravi Shastri calls Virat Kohli Greatest White-Ball Player after Auckland heroics

Meanwhile, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri was highly impressed with Kohli's brilliant 74-run knock against New Zealand in the first ODI in Auckland. Shastri praised Kohli’s control, confidence, and attacking approach, saying he had taken batting to another level.

Speaking alongside former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris and sports anchor Samir Kochhar, Shastri named Kohli the greatest white-ball player of all time. He was really impressed by how comfortably Kohli handled the conditions and maintained his fluency without making mistakes.

Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying by Sony Sports, “And then, Virat Kohli. I have seen him bat for years and years. I think this is as good as he's ever batted in these conditions. You know, on this kind of track, not to put a foot wrong, to play with that kind of fluency and authority, is not easy. This is as good an inning as he would have played in probably the last seven, eight, or ten years. You know, if I may say so because he took batting to another level.”