In a thrilling encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Team India faced off against Sri Lanka. Kohli, known for his exceptional batting skills and leadership, stepped up when the team needed him the most, leaving fans in awe.
The game began with an unexpected twist for the Indian team as Dilshan Madushanka dismissed India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, in the very first over. With the team reeling from this early setback, the pressure was on Virat Kohli to rescue them.
In his trademark fashion, Virat Kohli rose to the occasion with a brilliant knock of 88 runs. His partnership with the young sensation, Shubman Gill, further steadied the ship. The duo shared a remarkable 189-run stand for the second wicket, thrilling the spectators with their impeccable strokeplay.
Shreyas Iyer, not to be overshadowed, played a scintillating 56-ball innings, amassing 82 runs. His aggressive batting ensured that India posted a mammoth total of 357 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot.
For Sri Lanka, the standout performer with the ball was Dilshan Madushanka, who picked up an impressive five wickets for 80 runs off his 10 overs. His efforts, however, were not enough to prevent the Indian team from setting a daunting target.
In pursuing India’s imposing total, Sri Lanka endured a disastrous batting collapse. The early wicket of Pathum Nissanka set the tone for their innings. The team lost wickets regularly, finding themselves at a dismal 14 for 6 at one stage.
Despite the dire situation, the Sri Lankan tailenders demonstrated remarkable resilience, guiding their team past the 50-run mark. Nevertheless, the target proved impossible, and the Indian bowlers were clinical in wrapping up the Sri Lankan innings.
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As the match progressed, anticipation grew among the fans at the Wankhede Stadium. They eagerly awaited when Virat Kohli, not often seen bowling in international cricket, would take the ball in hand.
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The moment they arrived when the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, did not hand the ball to Kohli. The crowd, unwilling to let the opportunity slip away, started chanting, “Kohli ko bowling do” (Give the ball to Kohli). The atmosphere was electric as fans voiced their desire to see the star player contribute with the ball.
Virat Kohli's reaction when Wankhede crowd chanted 'Kohli ko bowling do'. 😂❤️pic.twitter.com/ggvdm8jEY5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 2, 2023
In response to the chants, Virat Kohli didn’t disappoint. Although he didn’t get a chance to bowl, he gave the fans something to cheer about. In a heartwarming gesture, he interacted with the crowd, acknowledging their support and showing his gratitude.
Imagine the havoc this 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵-𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘣𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘳 would've caused today! 😜#ViratKohli #INDvSL #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/7qXebiVqXI
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) November 2, 2023