World Cup 2023: India's Kohli bowls in a one-day match after 6 years

SPECTATORS at the Maharashtra State Cricket Association in the western Indian city of Pune on Thursday (19) witnessed a unique scene during the World Cup clash between hosts India and Bangladesh.

And it was about ace batter Virat Kohli bowling.

The 34-year-old cricketer, who is looking to break compatriot Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 one-day international centuries in this World Cup, came to bowl to the fans' pleasure after Hardik Pandya came to bowl first change after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat.

Pandya got his ankle twisted when he tried to stretch out his leg to stop a straight drive from Bangladesh opener Liton Das and despite a medical treatment on the ground, could not bowl again. It was the third ball of the over and with Pandya leaving the field for further medication, Kohli took the white ball to complete the over. He gave two runs in those three balls and did not get any wicket.

It was after more than six years that Kohli bowled in a one-day match. The last time he did it was against Sri Lanka in a bilateral series in the island-nation in August 2017. He had bowled two overs on that occasion, taking no wicket for 12 runs. He was also the captain of the team then.

Kohli, who has played 285 one-day international matches since 2008, has bowled 107 overs till now in which he has conceded 667 runs and taken four wickets. His best bowling figure is one wicket for 15 runs against South Africa in Johannesburg in December 2013.

While the Indian fans were happy to see their favourite cricketer to bowl, they were also worried over the prolonged absence of Pandya from the ground.