Captain or not, batting or not… Virat Kohli is guaranteed to provide entertainment no matter where he is at. The former India captain wears his heart on his sleeves and despite giving up captaincy of the Indian team, there has been no dip in his aggression or when it comes to expressing himself. You simply can't keep him out of action. Having returned to form in 2022, striking two brilliant centuries and playing the innings of a lifetime against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, Kohli would be hoping that 2023 only proves to be an extension of the previous year.
After sitting out the T20Is last week, Kohli returned to national duties during the 1st ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. And as India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on a show putting up a century partnership, the former captain enjoyed the proceedings from the dugout padded up. As usual, he was expressive as always, clapping whenever a boundary was hit and even engaging in banters with Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill, both of whom have been left out of India's Playing XI.
Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka Live Score 1st ODI in Guwahati
Kohli's reaction to his captain Rohit surviving a close DRS decision in particular was amusing. Rohit was batting on 45 off 35 balls when a delivery from spinner Wanindu Hasaranga struck him on the pads and the entire Sri Lankan team went up in a massive appeal. And after the on-field umpire declared it not out, Dasun Shanaka went upstairs for a review. And after much deliberation, the decision that flashed on the big screen was 'not out'.
It was a really tight call. Hasaranga had beaten Rohit with the googly. The ball landed on the red strip and the impact was in line as well, but the bounce is what saved the India captain. The ball was clipping the top of middle stump but since the soft signal was not out, the on-field umpire's decision stayed. Kohli, however, perhaps felt differently. As the camera panned towards the dugout, Kohli was spotted talking to Ishan sitting next to him and raising his finger, perhaps believing that Rohit was indeed out.
{{/usCountry}}It was a really tight call. Hasaranga had beaten Rohit with the googly. The ball landed on the red strip and the impact was in line as well, but the bounce is what saved the India captain. The ball was clipping the top of middle stump but since the soft signal was not out, the on-field umpire's decision stayed. Kohli, however, perhaps felt differently. As the camera panned towards the dugout, Kohli was spotted talking to Ishan sitting next to him and raising his finger, perhaps believing that Rohit was indeed out.
{{/usCountry}}Irrespective of what Kohli thought, the skipper survived and played on. He provided India a solid start and added 143 runs for the opening wicket with Gill in 19.4 overs before the youngster was out LBW for 70 off 60 balls. Rohit eventually perished for 83 when he played on a delivery from Dilshan Madushanka.