New Delhi:
Virat Kohli had struggled for timing in the Hyderabad Twenty20 International against West Indies on Friday. The Indian cricket team skipper had managed to score just 26 runs off 25 balls and the asking rate mounted. However, in an over bowled by Kesrick Williams, he inadvertently came in Kohli's path while the batsman was taking a single and this fired Kohli up. There were some words exchanged and the tide went against the West Indies. Kohli then unleashed a savage assault in the death overs and Williams bore the brunt. In the second ball of the 16th over, Williams bowled a yorker length delivery but Kohli managed to whip the ball over the ropes at deep midwicket for a 78-meter six.
However, the celebrations after the knock stole the eyeballs of social media and the fans at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. After hitting the six, Kohli trolled Williams by mocking him with his own notebook celebration as he achieved his highest individual score of 94* to give India a six-wicket win. In the post-match presentation, Kohli, who won the Man of the Match award revealed why he did the notebook celebration.
"It's not the CPL (about Williams's celebration), it happened to me in Jamaica when he got me out. So I thought I'll tick a few in the notebook as well, but all good. There were a few words, but smiles at the end. That's what you want to see. Good competitive cricket but in the end shake hands and give a hi-fi. That's what cricket is all about. Play it hard but have respect for opponents," Kohli said.
Don't Mess with @imVkohli
— AJITHism™â¤ï¸Â (@imThala__Kohli) December 6, 2019
He will sure return back what you give. He is mastered in that 👌💥#ViratKohli #KingKohli pic.twitter.com/r4F2Yds7EW
In the 2017 one-off Twenty20 International against India in Jamaica, Kohli had raced away to 39 off 21 balls but Williams bowled a short and slow delivery outside off which the Indian skipper mistimed and the catch was taken at midwicket by Sunil Narine. After taking his wicket, Williams started his trademark celebration by writing in his palm like a pen on a notebook and tucked it in his pocket. Kohli's elephantine memory recalled that moment and two years later, he paid back Williams in style.
This is not the first time Williams has had karma bite back at him for his celebrations. During the Caribbean Premier League clash between Jamaica Tallawahs and Guyana Amazon Warriors, Williams, playing for the Tallawahs had gotten Chadwick Walton out. When he dismissed him, he used the notebook celebration right in Walton's face and gave him a send-off.
Also Read | Virat Kohli Sledges Kesrick Williams In Style By Trolling Him With A Signature
In the next encounter between the two sides, Walton paid him back by hammering Williams to all parts of the ground. Whenever Walton hit a boundary, he mocked Williams by using the notebook celebration on his bat.
