In a light-hearted moment during the India vs Bangladesh match at the Asia Cup 2023, former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who was rested for the game, took on the role of a “water boy.” With India already securing a spot in the final, Kohli and a few other senior players were given a rest for the match against Bangladesh.
Despite being on the sidelines, Kohli made the most of his role by enthusiastically delivering drinks to his teammates during a drinks break. His cheerful and animated sprint onto the field left fans in splits, showcasing his passion for the game.
Rohit Sharma, India’s stand-in captain for the match, explained that the decision to bowl first was aimed at providing game time to players who hadn’t yet featured in the tournament. He mentioned that five changes were made to the lineup, with senior players like Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav resting for the game. They were replaced by Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, and Prasidh Krishna.
Rohit also discussed the decision to field first, providing the team with an opportunity to bat under lights and experience different pitch conditions. He noted that the pitch offered something for both pacers and spinners, emphasizing the need for bravery and playing a natural game.
Also Read: ‘In my opinion this was not the best batting order’ Shahid Afridi blasts Babar Azam’s captaincy in Asia CupDespite his role as a water boy, Virat Kohli’s performance in the tournament has been noteworthy, with 129 runs in four games, including a century against Pakistan. However, he was one of the wickets taken by Dunith Wellalage in the previous match against Sri Lanka, where he scored just three runs. Kohli is expected to face Wellalage once again in the upcoming final against Sri Lanka.
