Sports

R. Ashwin’s Heart-Pounding Moment: Fearing ‘Virat Kohli Scare’ During Clash Against Australia

In a thrilling Cricket World Cup 2023 opener on Sunday, the Indian cricket team emerged victorious against Australia. The match witnessed a brilliant partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, which proved to be the turning point in the chase of Australia’s 201-run target. However, what might have been a different outcome hinged on a crucial moment – the dropped catch of Virat Kohli. The significance of Kohli’s wicket is not lost on anyone, not just the fans but also his fellow teammates.

After India secured the win, Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s star players, revealed the tense atmosphere in the dressing room when Kohli’s wicket was almost taken. Ashwin confessed that when Kohli hit the ball in the air, he couldn’t contain his anxiety and rushed out of the dressing room, fearing that the talismanic batter might be dismissed cheaply.

The early moments of the game were quite nerve-wracking for India, as they lost quick wickets at the top, with the likes of Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer all departing without scoring any runs. Kohli, the linchpin of the Indian team, could have met a similar fate if it weren’t for Mitchell Marsh dropping his catch.

Ashwin vividly described his reaction: “When I saw Virat Kohli’s ball go up in the air, I ran outside the dressing room. I literally ran all the way outside. I didn’t know what to do. I was like ‘just wake me up when it’s all over.’ It was that sort of a feeling.”

He further elaborated on the gravity of the situation: “Look, I think we have found ourselves in this sort of situation in important big games. When you play Australia, it’s never a small game. You do well, shot them off for 199. You think you are going to coast home, and then the last thing you want is Virat Kohli getting out like that. The moment the crowd erupted, I ran back into the dressing room. I stood in the same place for the entire innings. My feet are actually paining.”

The dropped catch gave Kohli a lifeline, and he made the most of it, contributing a valuable 85 runs before eventually being dismissed by Josh Hazlewood. However, by then, both Kohli and Rahul had done enough to tilt the match in India’s favor. Their partnership of 165 runs paved the way for India to secure a convincing 6-wicket win, with Rahul remaining unbeaten on 97 as India triumphed with 52 balls to spare.

Priyanka Rai

Recent Posts

Delhi Rolls Out Strict Fuel Ban For Outdated Vehicles To Curb Pollution

The Delhi government has implemented a sweeping new policy aimed at reducing air pollution by…

36 mins ago

President Murmu To Inaugurate Key AYUSH And Education Projects In Gorakhpur

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate key infrastructure projects at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University, a landmark event…

1 hour ago

RBI Flags Strong Resilience In Indian Financial System In June 2025 Stability Report

RBI’s June 2025 report highlights the resilience of India’s financial system, backed by strong banks,…

1 hour ago

A Decade Of Digital Progress: India Sets Sights On Global Tech Leadership

As India marks ten years of 'Digital India', PM Modi declared the nation's readiness to…

2 hours ago

GST Collections Double In Five Years; Hit Record ₹22.08 Lakh Crore In FY25

India’s GST collections doubled over five years to reach ₹22.08 lakh crore in FY 2024–25,…

2 hours ago

PM Modi Greets Medical Fraternity On National Doctor’s Day; Hails Their Dedication

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday marked National Doctor’s Day by extending his best wishes…

2 hours ago