In a display of his trademark exuberance, Virat Kohli added a touch of cultural celebration to the cricket field during the second ODI against Sri Lanka. Known for his on-field entertainment, Kohli did not disappoint as he broke into a Bihu dance after catching Sadeera Samarawickrama, providing a memorable moment for the spectators.
The incident occurred in the 27th over when Kohli, positioned at cover, completed a catch to dismiss Samarawickrama for 14, reducing Sri Lanka to 111/4. Following the catch, Kohli performed a brief Bihu dance, a traditional folk dance from Assam, directed towards his Assam-born teammate Riyan Parag seated in the dugout. Parag, who is yet to make his ODI debut, was seen smiling at the gesture.
After this celebratory moment, Kohli turned to Axar Patel, who claimed his first dismissal of the day with Samarawickrama’s wicket. The crowd, already charged with the intensity of the game, cheered loudly for Kohli’s spontaneous dance.
Reflecting on the earlier events of the match, Sri Lanka chose to bat first after winning the toss. The day began dramatically as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Pathum Nissanka for a golden duck on the first ball. A stabilizing partnership of 74 runs between Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis followed, but both batsmen were eventually dismissed in quick succession by Washington Sundar, leaving Sri Lanka to rebuild their innings.
Riyan Parag, the talented all-rounder from Guwahati, gained attention earlier this year during the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Though he debuted in the T20I series, Parag’s prominence rose during the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, not for his batting, but for his effective bowling. His performances, particularly on the turning tracks of Kandy, demonstrated his potential as a genuine spinner, with figures of 9.2 overs for 62 runs and three wickets.
As the match progressed, India’s bowlers continued to apply pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar making significant contributions. Kohli’s celebratory dance added an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling contest.
The Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, aims to dominate the series, showcasing not only their cricketing skills but also their team spirit and camaraderie. Kohli’s Bihu dance was a testament to the unity and cultural diversity within the Indian team.
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