Virat Kohli brought the house down with his playful antics during India’s dominant 9-wicket victory in the third ODI against South Africa at Visakhapatnam, jokingly gesturing to “slap” Kuldeep Yadav over the spinner’s over-enthusiastic appeals. The hilarious clip, alongside Kohli’s earlier dance celebration with Kuldeep after Corbin Bosch’s wicket, has gone mega-viral, showcasing the senior star’s jolly mood and unbreakable team camaraderie. Kuldeep starred with 4 wickets, while Prasidh Krishna matched him (4/66), restricting SA to 270.

Kohli-Kuldeep Bromance Takes Center Stage

Kohli’s mock “slap” came amid Kuldeep’s animated appeals—Rohit Sharma also guided the youngster. Post-match, Kuldeep laughed: “In DRS, I’m very bad… every pad hit feels like a wicket. Rohit bhai pulls my leg… KL excellent behind stumps. Bowlers think every not-out is out—need guidance to calm down.”

Kuldeep relished dry-ball bowling: “Luxury after 20 toss losses—this 21st win felt great.” India finally broke the curse (1-in-1M odds from 2023 WC final), KL Rahul opting to bowl first on less-dewy pitch.

India’s Clinical Performance: Bowling To Chase

Bowling Highlights:

• Arshdeep: Early Ryan Rickelton.

• Prasidh 2nd spell masterclass: Breetzke lbw, Markram chip to Kohli, castling de Kock (106).

• Kuldeep mop-up: 4/41, tail collapse.

• SA: 270 all out (de Kock 106, Bavuma 48).

Chase Masterclass (Target 271):

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: Maiden ODI ton.

• Virat Kohli: 76th ODI fifty.

• Rohit Sharma: 75.

• India: 271/1 in 39.5 overs—series 2-1 win.

Rahul’s toss triumph set tone; fielding sharpened post-Raipur dew woes.

Viral Moments Roundup

• Fist-Pump Toss Win: Rahul’s epic reaction ending 20-streak.

• Kohli-Kuldeep Dance: Post-Bosch wicket shimmy.

• Mock Slap: Bizarre appeal banter.

• Kohli’s energy—dance, slaps, laughs—signals peak form amid dressing-room chatter. India sweeps momentum into T20Is.