During the 2023 World Cup match against Sri Lanka on November 2, the esteemed Indian team member, Virat Kohli, engaged in lighthearted banter with the enthusiastic crowd at the Wankhede Stadium.
An intriguing moment unfolded in the second innings when India was on the cusp of a resounding victory, having dismantled Sri Lanka to a meager 23/7.
The Indian pace trio proved to be too formidable for the Sri Lankan batsmen to contend with. The fans in the stands expressed their eagerness to witness Virat Kohli take the ball in that intense situation, their chants resonating loudly: “Kohli ko bowling do!” (Give Kohli a chance to bowl).
Virat Kohli, perched in the slips, playfully acknowledged the fans’ request with an initial amusing reaction. Eventually, he decided to play along with their plea, taking a moment to warm up and even showcasing his run-up, much to the delight of the spectators.
Virat Kohli's reaction when Wankhede crowd chanted 'Kohli ko bowling do'. 😂❤️pic.twitter.com/ggvdm8jEY5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 2, 2023
In the earlier stages of the match, India amassed a commanding total of 357 runs against Sri Lanka, with Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer each making significant contributions by achieving half-centuries.
Despite the promising start that hinted at potential centuries for all three batsmen, Gill concluded his innings at 92, Kohli at 88, and Iyer at 82. India displayed a dominant batting performance at the Wankhede Stadium, solidifying their position for a semi-final berth with this impressive victory.