Following India’s comprehensive series-clinching nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the final ODI, a lighthearted video featuring Virat Kohli and pacer Arshdeep Singh has emerged, showcasing the camaraderie in the winning squad.
The video, shared by Arshdeep’s IPL franchise, Punjab Kings (PBKS), captured a playful exchange between the two players concerning Kohli’s incredible form and the impact of the dew on the game.
The Century Jibe
Kohli entered the series decider having scored magnificent centuries in the first two ODIs. India’s dominant batting performance, which saw them chase down the 271-run target in less than 40 overs, prevented Kohli from spending more time at the crease. Arshdeep Singh jokingly commented on this fact:
“Paaji, run kam rehgaye, century aaj pakki thi waise (Brother, the target wasn’t big enough, otherwise a century seemed certain).”
Kohli, who finished the chase with a quickfire 65 off 45 balls, promptly and playfully responded to the pacer by bringing up the advantage provided by the playing conditions:
“Toss jeet gaye, nahi toh teri bhi pakki thi dew mein, (Be thankful we won the toss or even you would have been hit for a century in the dew!).”
India’s Dominant Victory
India’s victory secured the ODI series 2-1. India restricted South Africa to 270 all out, thanks to brilliant four-wicket hauls from spinners Kuldeep Yadav (4/41) and Prasidh Krishna (4/66).
The chase was defined by monumental partnerships:
- Openers Rohit Sharma (75) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (116)* put on a 155-run stand. Jaiswal went on to register his maiden ODI century.
- Kohli then partnered with Jaiswal for another century stand, wrapping up the win with his quick 65 runs, highlighting India’s batting depth and dominance.
The toss and the subsequent dew factor proved crucial, making batting easier in the second innings and hindering the South African bowlers, a point Kohli used humorously against Arshdeep.