"I will send AB a text tonight and see what he thinks of it" - When a Virat Kohli scoop reminded fans of De Villiers
Team India's star batter Virat Kohli's strokeplay has often left fans amazed. Apart from a wide range of classical strokes, the seasoned campaigner has time and again shown that he also has a few unorthodox shots in his repertoire.
During the second fixture of India's three-match away T20I series against Australia in 2020, Kohli dazzled the viewers by playing an AB de Villiers-esque scoop shot. In the 15th over of the run chase, Kohli shuffled across the stumps, sat on one knee and sent the ball over the ropes for a six off Andrew Tye's bowling.
Kohli scored 40 runs off 24 balls, playing an important role in the Men in Blue chasing down the 195-run target in 19.4 overs with six wickets in hand. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he even mentioned that he would text De Villiers, asking him to review his scoop.
The former India skipper said (via Cricbuzz):
"The scoop over fine-leg was a bit of a funny moment, surprised myself there. I will send AB a text tonight and see what he thinks of it."
It is worth mentioning that Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers shared the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) dressing room for several years. Their camaraderie wasn't just limited to on the field as they still continue to share a great friendship.
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is earlier this year
Virat Kohli's form came under the scanner following a string of underwhelming performances at the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, the ace batter saved his best for the most important fixture, notching up a fine half-century in the final against South Africa.
After electing to bat first in the summit clash, India found themselves in a precarious position after losing three early wickets. They were reeling at 34/4 in 4.3 overs.
Kohli played a clutch knock under tremendous pressure, scoring 76 runs off 59 deliveries. Axar Patel and Shivam Dube also chipped in with crucial contributions of 47 and 27, respectively, as the team ultimately registered 176/7 after 20 overs.
The Rohit Sharma-led side secured a thrilling seven-run victory over the Proteas to win the coveted silverware. Following India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is.