Virat Kohli gets brutal send-off stare from Kagiso Rabada after smashing him early, only to fall in stunning turnaround

Kagiso Rabada celebrated with his teammates and gave Virat Kohli an angry stare as the veteran made his way back to the pavilion.

Updated on: Apr 30, 2026, 20:56:24 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Kagiso Rabada knew what the dismissal meant as he removed Virat Kohli on Thursday in Ahmedabad. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener took on the Gujarat Titans bowler in the second over of the first innings, clobbering him for 21 runs. But in the fourth over, Rabada had the last laugh, dismissing Kohli and then giving him a deadly stare as he made his way back to the pavilion.

Kagiso Rabada had a special send-off for Virat Kohli. (X)

In the first ball of the second over, Kohli pulled the South African over midwicket for a four, and then launched him over wide mid-off for another. He made it a hat-trick of boundaries in the third ball, receiving a short length delivery, outside off, Kohli carved it to the deep point ropes. In the fourth delivery, Kohli smacked him past the fielder at short third man for another four.

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Then Rabada pitched it up, outside off, Kohli responded with ease, sending him through the covers for his fifth consecutive four. The over ended with a single.

In the next over, Kohli also hammered Mohammed Siraj for a six, launching him over long-on. In the second delivery of the fourth over, Rabada sent a short and quick ball, around middle and leg. Kohli misjudged it due to the pace and bounce as he advanced down the wicket. He lost his shape and ended up top-edging it to Rashid Khan at mid-wicket for a catch. Kohli departed for 28 off 13 balls, packed with five fours and a maximum.

In jubilation, Rabada celebrated with his teammates and gave Kohli an angry stare as the veteran made his way back to the pavilion.

Watch - Kagiso Rabada's send-off for Virat Kohli

The battle between Kohli and Rabada has long been one of the most action-packed duels in cricket, mixing skill, intensity and personal rivalry. Whenever Rabada has dismissed Kohli, the pacer has celebrated it in style.

Although Kohli has managed to score at a healthy rate against Rabada, it has been a risky approach. He has been dismissed by the pacer multiple times across formats, often forced into poor decisions or surprised by a lack of or extra pace. Rabada is smart, and he also attacks the stumps, which makes him key in the powerplay.

The battle also showed that Kohli can dominate a bowler, but Rabada has the ability to strike back after being hit, almost like pressing a reset battle in the middle of a spell.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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