At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru witnessed Virat Kohli’s cricket magic unfold beyond his batting prowess. Rohit Sharma, responding to the fervent crowd chants of ‘Kohli ko ball do,’ finally summoned the captain to the bowling crease in the final fixture against Netherlands.
Kohli, a Delhi lad by birth but a Bengaluru boy at heart, embraced his role as the ‘wrong-footed inswinging menace.’ The stadium, echoing with anticipation after Kohli’s near miss at a record-breaking ton, found new life in the rhythmic chants. A packed house had reveled in KL Rahul’s splendid century and the formidable partnership with Shreyas Iyer, propelling India to a commanding 410 for four.
As the Dutch chase meandered toward its inevitable end, the crowd’s persistent plea for ‘Kohli ko ball do’ reached its peak around over 16. Rohit, sensing the moment, brought Kohli into the attack to a thunderous applause.
Kohli’s first over showcased no great pace, but the menace of his inswing remained well concealed. It was the start of over No. 25 that ignited delirium. To an innocuous delivery down leg, Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards managed a tickle, and Kohli’s child-like joy erupted. The catch, expertly held by Rahul, marked Kohli’s first ODI scalp in nine years.
His joy was infectious, shared by disbelieving teammates, earning Kohli a third over that yielded figures of 3-0-13-1. Nothing sensational, perhaps, but this is Kohli, and even the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Rohit, not done with surprises, later introduced Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav as part-timers. The crowd, now jubilant, clamored for Rohit himself to take the ball. In a rare bowling stint, Rohit picked up a wicket, his first in 11 and a half years, rounding off a night of unexpected delights.
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