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'I Will Send AB A Text…,' When Virat Kohli Surprised Himself With An Audacious Scoop

Virat Kohli pulled off a scoop against Australia [Source: @cricketcomau/x]Virat Kohli pulled off a scoop against Australia [Source: @cricketcomau/x]

Virat Kohli commands an expansive gallery of strokes, showcasing his versatility and finesse across formats. While Kohli has decimated the best of bowling attacks throughout his storied playing career, the legendary Indian batter once ‘surprised’ himself, by his own admission.

Known for his traditional-yet-authoritative stroke-play, Virat Kohli unfurled an audacious scoop shot off Andrew Tye in the second T20I from India’s all-format tour of Australia back in December 2020. The unorthodox stroke prompted on-air commentators as well as social media-prone Indian cricket fans to compare Virat Kohli with South Africa’s ‘Mr. 360°’ AB de Villiers.

Kohli, who shared the same IPL dressing room with AB de Villiers at the time, admitted after the match that he will be sending a text to his RCB teammate to seek his approval.

When Virat Kohli sought approval from AB de Villiers

Back in December 2020 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Virat Kohli unfurled an audacious scoop shot off Andrew Tye to turbo-charge India’s high-octane pursuit of 195 runs against Australia. Kohli’s moment of adventure yielded six runs for the ‘Men in Blue’, and a slew of AB de Villiers comparisons for himself on air as well as on social media.

To watch the video, click here. 

After the match, the legendary Indian batter admitted that he surprised himself with the success of the shot, and he was about to drop AB de Villiers a text later in the night to seek the latter’s opinion. Virat Kohli said:

“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.”

Virat Kohli Bids Adieu To T20 Internationals

Back in June this year, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20I cricket. The legendary Indian batter made the declaration mere moments after Team India clinched the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Virat Kohli bowed out of T20Is as one of the highest run-accumulators of the format, having minted 4,188 runs at an astonishing average of 48.69, with one century and 38 half-centuries. Even in his final appearance against South Africa at the title clash, the cricketer pumped out a match-winning 76 at Bridgetown.