NEW DELHI: Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is well known for his on-field antics, which often entertain fans just as much as his batting heroics. From urging the crowd to cheer louder to mimicking his teammates, Kohli’s exuberance is always on display.
During India’s final group-stage clash against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, another such moment went viral, leaving fans in splits.
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In a lighthearted and spontaneous gesture, Kohli playfully touched the feet of spinner Axar Patel after the latter dismissed New Zealand’s top-scorer Kane Williamson. The incident took place at the end of the 41st over of New Zealand’s run chase when Axar provided India with a crucial breakthrough.
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Williamson, who had scored a well-compiled 81 off 120 balls, attempted an aggressive stroke off Axar’s delivery but was completely beaten, allowing wicketkeeper KL Rahul to complete a simple stumping. As Axar celebrated the prized scalp, Kohli approached him and humorously bowed down to touch his feet in a gesture of respect, acknowledging the vital wicket. Axar, taken aback, attempted to evade the moment, leading to a brief, playful exchange between the two before they resumed their fielding positions.
The wicket proved to be a turning point in the match. With Williamson’s dismissal, New Zealand’s chase faltered despite a brief cameo from Mitchell Santner (28 off 31 balls). The rest of the batting lineup failed to withstand India’s spin attack as Varun Chakaravarthy (5/42) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/56) wrapped up the tail efficiently, securing a 44-run victory for India. Axar finished with impressive figures of 1 for 32 in his 10 overs.
With this win, India topped Group A and set up a semi-final clash against Australia on Tuesday. However, it was Kohli’s lighthearted gesture that became one of the highlights of the match, once again showcasing his fun-loving and animated presence on the field.