In a surprising and comical turn of events, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli took on the role of a waterboy during the last league match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Bangladesh.
While Kohli may not have been seen wielding the bat on the field, his presence on the sidelines brought a burst of laughter and joy to cricket fans worldwide.
The decision to rest several key players, including Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, was a strategic move made by skipper Rohit Sharma.
Deleted scene from phir Hera pheri #ViratKohli #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/Rv2qkKL40T
— Vikash Patel (@baiswar_vikas) September 15, 2023
This decision highlighted the depth of the Indian cricket team and their focus on long-term success in international competitions.
He still stole the show without being in playing 11#ViratKohli for uh🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/XACV6HQLKF
— NIHAL KHAN (@Nihalkhan_) September 15, 2023
Virat Kohli's stint as a waterboy was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the team's success and his willingness to support his fellow players, even in unconventional roles.
The internet went abuzz with humorous memes and posts, dubbing Kohli as the 'richest waterboy' ever.
While Bangladesh emerged victorious in the match by a margin of 6 runs, India had already secured a place in the finals of the Asia Cup 2023.
Most expensive water boy in the history of cricket.#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/zPvW3Dkf7B
— Aliya (@AliyaMalik45) September 15, 2023
Rohit Sharma's calculated choice to rest key players provided opportunities for emerging talents like Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Shami to showcase their skills on the international stage.
As the tournament progresses, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the return of Virat Kohli to his usual playing role, but for now, his comical waterboy stint will be etched in the annals of cricketing humor. This lighthearted episode only reaffirms the spirit of camaraderie and unity within the Indian cricket team.