Indian cricket team celebrate 71st Independence Day, captain Virat Kohli hoists tricolour

Pallekele: The Indian cricket team on Tuesday celebrated the nation’s 71st Independence Day with captain Virat Kohli hoisting the tricolour in the presence of the entire squad.

Kohli also wished his countrymen back home on the occasion and said 15th August has always been “special” for him since childhood as the day is also his father’s birthday.

“I want to wish you all a very Happy Independence Day. My heart is filled with the pride of being an Indian everyday. But this particular day enhances this feeling to an altogether different level, Kohli said in a video message posted on his official twitter handle.

#TeamIndia gathered at Kandy to hoist the tri-colour on the occasion of Independence Day #IndependenceDayIndia https://t.co/SyRLmE4Let

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2017

“It’s also a special day for me for more than one reason. It’s also my father’s birthday so this day always used to be very special for me and my family,” he added.

On this occasion, Kohli also remembered how he used to celebrate the Independence Day with his friends and family when he was a child.

“My fondest memories of this particular day are of course flying kites with friends and family when I was a kid in Delhi. I really enjoyed the day seeing the Indian flag wave everywhere you look,” he said.

“So really enjoy the day, feel your heart with the pride of being an Indian and always keep that feeling alive. Jai Hind,” Kohli added.

The 15-member Indian squad, alongside the support staff were in attendance as Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri stepped ahead and unfurled the national flag.

The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by the National Anthem.

The Indian cricket team, which whitewashed hosts Sri Lanka 3-0 in the three-match Test series on Monday, is now gearing up for five ODIs and one-off Twenty20 game, starting with the first 50-over encounter in Dambulla on 20 August.