During an intense Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur, a near run-out involving Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant turned into a comical moment on the field. The incident, which initially left Kohli displeased, later became the source of laughter, with the former Indian captain mimicking Bangladesh’s botched run-out attempt, much to the amusement of his teammates.
The close call occurred in the 19th over of India’s innings. Kohli, who had just come in at No. 5, was batting on 2 off 3 balls when he edged a delivery from Khaled Ahmed that rolled to his right. With India desperately needing to speed up the game after two washed-out days, Kohli called for a single. However, Rishabh Pant, stationed at the other end, hesitated and abruptly stopped, leaving Kohli stranded well outside his crease.
Khaled sprinted towards the ball, gathered it, and underarmed a throw towards the stumps. Kohli, realizing he was miles away from the crease, had already given up on the run. Fortunately for him, Khaled’s throw missed the target, allowing Kohli to escape what should have been an easy run-out. Had the bowler noticed Kohli’s distance from the crease, the outcome would have certainly been different. The missed opportunity visibly frustrated the Bangladesh players.
Kohli was initially annoyed by the mix-up, but Pant quickly made amends with an apology and a hug. Later in the day, when India took the field for Bangladesh’s second innings, Kohli saw the humorous side of the incident. A video surfaced showing Kohli reenacting the failed run-out attempt, complete with exaggerated movements, while fielding in the slips. His mimicry had Pant, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill in stitches, with the trio thoroughly enjoying Kohli’s playful antics.
This light-hearted moment during the tense Test match showcased Kohli’s ability to laugh off what could have been a costly mistake and lifted the spirits of his teammates during a critical phase of the game.
