In a surprising turn of events, Virat Kohli, known more for his remarkable batting, made a rare appearance with the ball during the India vs. Bangladesh clash in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. This marked the first time in six years that Kohli had bowled in a One Day International (ODI) match.
The incident unfolded during the 17th over of Bangladesh's innings. Bangladesh's batsman began the over by smashing two boundaries, keeping the crowd and his team on edge. However, Kohli, donning glasses and sporting an unusual look as a bowler, stepped up for the remaining three deliveries of the over. He bowled a tight fourth delivery without conceding any runs, and the fifth and sixth deliveries resulted in just one run each for Bangladesh.
The last time Virat Kohli bowled in a One Day International was back in August 2017, in a match against Sri Lanka at Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. However, it's worth noting that Kohli has occasionally showcased his bowling talents in previous editions of the World Cup, including the 2011 quarter-final against Australia, the final against Sri Lanka, and a semi-final match against Australia in 2015.
Cricket fans were pleasantly surprised to witness Virat Kohli's return to bowling, and his brief spell with the ball has created quite a buzz in the cricket world. His performance has also ignited discussions about his occasional contributions as a bowler, in addition to his well-established prowess as a batsman. Kohli's brief bowling stint during this match has led to much excitement among fans and experts, as it provides a fresh dimension to his versatile cricketing skills. The video of Kohli's bowling has been shared by the ICC (International Cricket Council), and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has also shared images of this remarkable event.
While Kohli's primary role in the Indian cricket team remains that of a world-class batsman, his occasional forays into bowling bring an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the game. As cricket enthusiasts await more moments like these, Kohli's unexpected bowling performance is a testament to his multi-faceted talents and his ability to surprise his fans with unexpected contributions to the team's success.
