[Watch] When Virat Kohli defended a free hit in an ODI vs Bangladesh in 2015

A free hit is a batter's ultimate delight. However, India's ace batter Virat Kohli surprisingly defended a free hit delivery in 2015. The incident happened during India's 2015 tour of Bangladesh right after the two teams met in the ODI World Cup quarter-final that the Men in Blue prevailed in by 109 runs.

After Bangladesh won the opening ODI of the three-match series, India were under pressure in a must-win second ODI in Mirpur. The visitors won the toss and batted first.

However, disaster struck right away for Team India as they lost Rohit Sharma off the second ball of the innings, bringing Kohli to the middle. The champion batter got his eye in, moving to seven off six deliveries after smashing his first boundary in the fourth over.

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed bowled a no-ball two deliveries later, meaning a free hit for King Kohli off the final ball of the over. Despite being a ball meant to be smashed to the boundary, the now 35-year-old was perhaps unaware of the same and defended it to the point region for a dot ball.

Here is a video of Kohli's bizarre block to a free hit delivery:

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Unfortunately for India, Kohli did not stay in the middle for long as he was dismissed for a 27-ball 23 to leave India 74/2 in the 13th over.

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Batters succumbed as India lost first-ever ODI series to Bangladesh in 2015

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India were shocked by Bangladesh in their crushing defeat at Mirpur [Credit: Getty]

Team India's horrific tour of Bangladesh in 2015 continued when they lost the second ODI to concede the series. After the one-off Test ended in a draw, MS Dhoni's men looked to finish the Bangladesh tour on a high with a victory in the three-match ODI series.

However, they were stunned by the Tigers in the opening ODI, suffering a 79-run defeat. Things went from bad to worse for India in the second ODI as they were bowled out for only 200 in 45 overs after winning the toss and batting first.

The hosts chased down the score with ease, winning by six wickets in just 38 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

India, however, avoided a series whitewash by winning the final encounter by 77 runs.

Much like his shocking defense to a free hit delivery, Kohli had a shocker with the bat, averaging under 17 at a strike rate of 74.24 in the three ODIs.

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