The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli might not be regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of this game but he is one of the most entertaining personalities on the cricket field. The ‘leader’ in him certainly knows how to entertain the crowd and how to motivate his players to be at their prime to perform for the country. His energy out there on the field is contagious and we just can never get enough of his on-field antics.
Time and again, we have seen Virat Kohli taking a more direct approach to interact with the crowd and pump them with energy. Remember how Virat schooled the crowd when they booed Steve Smith or when he teased the Barmy Army?
Well, another such incident took place in the ongoing second Test match against New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and it is inspiring.
This incident was first shared by Twitter users “@Adityakrsaha” and “@Shikhar_T“, who observed this beautiful moment featuring the Indian skipper and the crowd at the Wankhede Stadium, direct from the stadium.
On Day 2, when Umesh Yadav was bowling his second spell, after going wicketless in the first, he looked spent and frustrated. Thus, Virat Kohli decided to pump the crowd up with his flamboyant gestures and in no time the whole Wankhede Stadium started chanting and cheering for the team. When he did his signature “Volume badhao, Ben Stokes!” hand gesture, the crowd went berserk.
Fans soon started chanting “Virat Kohli, Virat Kohli”, at the top of their voices and as per the spectator, the noise was deafening. However, after Kohli heard the chant, he turned towards the crowd and gestured once again, this time precisely to cheer for the bowler and not for him. “Not for me, do it for the bowler” he gestured.
After taking a moment to understand the gestures of Virat, the crowd responded with the chants of “Umesh Yadav, Umesh Yadav”.
In the next bowler, Umesh Yadav almost dismissed the batter. After wicketkeeper Saha collected the ball, Virat turned towards the crowd and clapped for them, appreciating them for their support to his bowler, who wasn’t having the best of the days.
These small gestures of Virat Kohli make him the fan-favorite. ‘King’ Kohli for a reason!
Here, watch the video of this inspiring video:
ok here is the video of this event
i love you to bits @imVkohli https://t.co/VEkb6P7Cc9 pic.twitter.com/jXZCGW8rjh
— inconclusive evidence (@BcciHatebot) December 4, 2021
i love you to bits You can also read the threads written by the spectators:
The crowd can’t take a break even for 1 over when Kohli is Captaining. He just asked them to make some noise when Axar came to bowl by signaling them. Forget about the Cricket lovers even his haters like him as a Test Captain. ?
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) December 4, 2021
2/7
As has been his habit, captain @imVkohli was pumping the crowd up with gestures that were straight out of Red Bull ads, and the spectators were responding with loud chants and cheers. When he did his signature “Volume badhao, Ben Stokes!” hand gesture, my stand went berserk.
— Shikhar (He/Him) (@Shikhar__T) December 4, 2021
4/7
It must have been decently loud, for Kohli seemed to have heard our chant. After the next ball by Umesh, he turned towards us from first slip and gestured once again, this time precisely.
If the gesture was in English, it would have read, “Not for me, do it for the bowler.”
— Shikhar (He/Him) (@Shikhar__T) December 4, 2021
5/7
After taking a moment to understand what Kohli meant, the stand responded with a thunderous chant of “Umesh Yadav, Umesh Yadav”, as he charged towards the bowling crease. Peach of a delivery, nearly kissed the bails. Had the batter played at it, he would have nicked it.
— Shikhar (He/Him) (@Shikhar__T) December 4, 2021
7/7
This inconsequential incident probably wasn’t picked by the broadcast team, but it left a deep impression on me as a cricket fan. Yes, I’ve always respected the batsman, but Virat Kohli the captain has all my heart from today. Nothing but love for King @imVkohli.#INDvsNZ
— Shikhar (He/Him) (@Shikhar__T) December 4, 2021
