In a stunning twist of event on the cricket’s biggest stage, Virat Kohli, the star batter of Team India’s batting lineup, found himself on the bowling end during an ODI match after a six-year hiatus. This unexpected turn of events transpired due to an unfortunate injury to Hardik Pandya in the midst of the 2023 World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune.
During the 9th over, Pandya suffered an ankle twist while attempting to stop a powerful shot by Litton Das, rendering him unable to continue. Fans of Virat Kohli were treated to a rare spectacle, witnessing their cricketing hero take on the role of a bowler.
Although Kohli’s stint as a bowler was brief, consisting of just three deliveries, it sent fans into a frenzy. Social media was flooded with captivating images and videos of the cricket icon in his new-found bowling role.
Virat Kohli bowling highlights#INDvsBANpic.twitter.com/dUrKhJTydg
— ` (@KohliKlassic) October 19, 2023
This extraordinary outing as a bowler marked Kohli’s first bowling appearance in an ODI since the 2017 match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. In the context of ODI World Cups, this was the fourth instance of Kohli trying his hand at bowling, with previous appearances occurring in the 2011 World Cup against Australia and Sri Lanka, as well as in the 2015 edition against Australia.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing match at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first, led by their stand-in captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto. While openers Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das appeared to be settling in comfortably on the field, India’s Kuldeep Yadav provided the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Hasan in the 14th over.
