In the 2023 World Cup, Indian batsmen continued their impressive form, as Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli showcased a remarkable century-plus partnership against Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The Indian team faced an early setback with Rohit’s dismissal for just 4 runs off the second ball of the innings.
However, Kohli and Gill calmly absorbed the initial pressure and played their way to individual half-centuries. Their outstanding strokeplay mirrored each other’s shots, putting Sri Lanka on the back foot. Gill gained confidence as he watched Kohli find his groove, and both batsmen went on a boundary-scoring spree to keep India’s innings flowing.
Kohli watched in awe as Gill executed some exceptional shots, with perfect timing that effortlessly dispatched the ball to the boundary. However, one particular four from the young sensation left Kohli completely astonished and lost for words.
Dilshan Madushanka, who had claimed Rohit’s wicket in the opening over, returned for his second spell. In the 16th over, he bowled a back-of-length delivery angling across the batsman. An alert Gill, however, made room and disdainfully drove the ball through the covers for a four.
Even though Madushanka’s delivery registered over 135 kph, it seemed like the ball raced away at nearly 200 kph. Kohli, at the non-striker’s end, was left in sheer admiration of the incredible power and sheer force behind that shot.
Kohli’s reaction evoked a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of a similar response during the 2019 World Cup. It took us back to India’s World Cup opener against Australia at the Oval when MS Dhoni unleashed a colossal six that sent the ball soaring into the stands, eliciting the exact same body language from Kohli.
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As Starc charged in from round the wicket to deliver the 49th over, the ball pitched perfectly in the arc, and Dhoni unleashed a mighty swing that connected with sheer force. The ball sailed a staggering 87 meters, disappearing deep into the stands near mid-wicket. Kohli, standing at the very center of the pitch, appeared stunned before breaking into laughter alongside his former captain.