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In a display of sheer brilliance, Virat Kohli showcased his unmatched athleticism during the first One-Day International (ODI) between West Indies and India. The action-packed match took place at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday (July 27). While India dominated with both bat and ball, it was Kohli’s breathtaking catch that left fans in awe.
A precarious drive and Kohli’s heroics:
With West Indies struggling at five wickets down and less than 100 runs on the scoreboard, Romario Shepherd walked out to face the crafty spin of Ravindra Jadeja. On the first ball he received, Shepherd was beaten by a deceptive delivery that spun past the outside edge of his bat and went through to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.
The next ball, however, proved to be decisive. Jadeja sent down a tantalizingly tossed-up delivery, tempting Shepherd to go for a drive into the off side. Falling for the bait, Shepherd edged the white leather, sending it flying behind the wicket.
At second slip, Kohli was alert and ready. The ball appeared to be angling wide of him, challenging his fielding skills. In a heart-stopping moment, it seemed like Shepherd might escape the clutches of Kohli’s brilliance.
Yet, just when it seemed improbable, Kohli displayed why he is one of the finest fielders in the game. Stretching out his right hand low to the ground, he made a desperate attempt to seize the ball. As if guided by instinct, Kohli’s hand closed around the leather, and he held onto the catch despite the momentum threatening to knock him off balance.
The Kensington Oval erupted in applause as Kohli rose from the ground, the ball safely secured in his grasp. The spectators, as well as his teammates, could not help but admire the incredible athleticism and split-second reflexes that enabled Kohli to complete such a remarkable catch.
Here’s the video:
King Grab 🦀@imVkohli pulls off a stunner 😱#INDvWIonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/ozvuxgFTlm
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 27, 2023
Batting is not the only thing he can do ✅
Brilliant bit of fielding from Virat Kohli 👏 pic.twitter.com/oRFmkiPbJ3
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) July 27, 2023
“Generally, I take such catches on other’s bowling”: Jadeja
After the match, Jadeja lauded the former India captain, mentioning that Kohli’s sensational slip catch boosted his confidence as a bowler.
“I felt good… I always take catches off others’ bowling and when someone takes a good catch in my bowling, it felt good. It was a very good catch, he had to take it low and it was a sharp catch,” Jadeja was quoted as saying to the BCCI.
“He [Kohli] did not get a lot of time. The batter went for a drive and he had less than a second to react. I would say it was a very very good catch. Shubman Gill also took a nice catch. It was also a low catch. On wickets like these, only when the bowlers get the support of the fielders, their confidence will be boosted. These half-chances should be converted into wickets, then only the bowlers will feel confident,” Jadeja added.
