India’s recent Test match against Bangladesh featured a light-hearted moment between Virat Kohli and umpire Richard Kettleborough, which went viral on social media. The incident came a day after Kohli’s surprising reaction to his dismissal during India’s second innings. On Day 2 of the match, Kohli was given out LBW off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bowling. Despite Shubman Gill’s suggestion to opt for a DRS review, Kohli chose not to challenge the decision and walked off the field. Later, replays showed a clear inside edge before the ball hit his pad, prompting a smile from Kettleborough as he realized the missed opportunity for the review.
Fast forward to the final innings of the match on Day 3, with India having set a massive target of 515 runs for Bangladesh. Kohli approached Kettleborough to have a word, but whatever the umpire said left Kohli laughing. Although there was no audio to capture their exchange, the video of the interaction quickly spread on social media, showing a lighter side of the game amidst the intense competition.
Meanwhile, India dominated the game with stellar performances. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill both scored centuries, with Pant reaching his sixth Test hundred, equalling MS Dhoni’s record for most Test hundreds by an Indian wicketkeeper-batsman. Gill continued his impressive form, securing his third century of 2024. India declared their second innings at 287 for 4, setting an imposing target.
In response, Bangladesh put up a resilient fight, ending the day at 158 for 4. However, they still face a daunting task, needing 357 more runs to achieve an unlikely victory. R Ashwin, who shone with a century in the first innings, was India’s standout bowler with three wickets.
Despite the competitive spirit, it was the playful interaction between Kohli and Kettleborough that stole the spotlight, showing that even in high-pressure situations, cricket can still have its moments of humor and camaraderie.
