All eyes are on Virat Kohli the batter in the first ODI between South Africa and India, which is currently underway at Boland Park in Paarl. With the captaincy burden off his shoulders, Kohli would be expected to rediscover his mojo on the 22 yards and thereby, score his highly-awaited 71st international century.
While it remains to be seen whether the ‘Run Machine’ will showcase yet another match-winning performance in the second innings, Kohli did become the center of attention during the first innings.
Virat Kohli and Temba Bavuma exchange heated verbal words
The players of both teams were engaged in a few heated moments during the prceeding Test series and by the look of it, it seems that things are not any different in the ODI series as well as Virat Kohli and Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma were involved in a verbal confrontation.
The incident happened on the fourth delivery of the 36th over of the first innings bowled by leggie Yuzvendra Chahal. The South African captain had struck one towards the short cover region where the ball was collected by Kohli after which he threw it straight to the stumps with Temba Bavuma being in the way.
Luckily, nothing untoward happened but, it did not go down well with the batter. While the former Indian skipper was returning back to his fielding position, he suddenly turned back in an unpleasant manner and said something to Bavuma after the Proteas captain had uttered something. Nonetheless, things did not escalate any further.
Watch the video below
— Sunaina Gosh (@Sunainagosh7) January 19, 2022
This is what Kohli said to Temba,
“What? You were out of the crease, I threw the ball, I’m not the captain anymore. I don’t have to face anyone at the end of the match stay on your limits or your will forget batting.”
After being reduced to 68/3 in the 18th over, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen revived South Africa’s innings by scoring their respective centuries as the duo added 204 runs for the fourth-wicket stand.
Bavuma was dismissed for 110 by India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the penultimate over when he played a lofted shot only to find his opposite number KL Rahul in the deep. Van der Dussen remained unbeaten on a 96-ball 129 as the Proteas posted a fighting total of 296/4 from their 50 overs