• Virat Kohli perfectly executed Stuart Broad’s bail-swap tactic on Day 2 of the Centurion Test between South Africa and India.

  • South Africa reached 256/5 at the end of the second day's play.

WATCH: Virat Kohli’s Stuart Broad-esque bail switch technique produces two timely wickets for India in Centurion Test – SA vs IND
Virat Kohli (Image Source: Twitter)

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Cricket’s unpredictability was on full display during the ongoing first Test match between India and South Africa. Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper, found himself in the midst of an unusual incident at Supersport Park in Centurion. With South Africa in a strong position, Kohli attempted a lighthearted move reminiscent of England‘s legendary pacer Stuart Broad by swapping the bails in search of a breakthrough.

Virat Kohli’s playful move inspired by Stuart Broad

The hosts, led by Dean Elgar and Tony de Zorzi, were comfortably positioned in response to India’s 245 in the first innings. Faced with a challenging scenario due to India’s dismal bowling, Kohli decided to emulate Broad’s tactic. Cameras captured the Indian captain playfully switching bail positions just before Jasprit Bumrah‘s 29th over.

Here’s the video:

Jasprit Bumrah’s impact and South Africa’s quick collapse

Surprisingly, the tactic appeared to work in India’s favor. On the final delivery of the same over, Bumrah dismissed  Zorzi, caught at third slip, breaking the crucial 93-run partnership. Bumrah’s subsequent dismissal of Keegan Petersen further intensified the shift, reducing South Africa from a comfortable 104/1 to 113/3 in just nine deliveries. Eventually South Africa reached 256/5 at the end of the second day’s play.

After Kohli’s unconventional bail-swap act gained widespread attention on Wednesday, Broad found himself trending on social media. This incident brought back memories of English stalwart employing a similar tactic during the second Ashes earlier in the year.

Also READ: SA vs IND: Twitter goes berserk as KL Rahul smashes record-breaking century in Centurion Test

Broad’s bail-swap in Ashes 2023

Broad’s frustration during a period of wickets not falling led him to switch the bails. This episode unfolded as he seemed visibly perturbed by Marnus Labuschagne‘s gritty but low-scoring knock of nine off 81. Coincidentally, Labuschagne edged the next ball behind against Mark Wood, making Broad’s earlier bail-switching gesture a memorable and somewhat comical moment in cricket.

Broad reacts to Kohli’s bail-swap trick

The England great also shared his thoughts on Kohli’s similar trick. Taking to social media platform X, Broad wrote, “With success?,” and tagged Kohli in his post.

Also READ: Twitter reactions: Dean Elgar’s counter century after KL Rahul’s ton on Day 2 tightens South Africa’s grip in Centurion Test

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