A light-hearted moment broke out during the third and deciding ODI between India and New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, when veteran batter Virat Kohli appeared unusually frustrated while fielding. In a sequence that quickly went viral online, Kohli struggled to cling on to a ball, juggling it as the ball kept on bouncing off before eventually kicking it in mild anger, prompting laughter and playful reactions from fans on social media.
What happened on the field
The incident unfolded at a point in the game when Kohli was positioned in the outfield and attempted to stop a well-hit ball. Despite several efforts to secure it cleanly, the ball slipped from his grasp multiple times, leading to a visibly irritated reaction from the Indian batting great. Cameras captured Kohli’s final attempt, after which he briefly kicked the ball in frustration and gave an animated look.
Footage of the moment was widely shared across platforms such as X, Instagram reels and fan pages, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about clips from the match day. The light-hearted nature of the incident provided a contrast to the intense contest on the field, where Kohli also scored a brilliant 124-run innings, his 85th international century, though India ultimately fell short of New Zealand’s total.
Hilarious fan reactions
Fans took to social media with humour and creativity following the clip’s circulation. Many supporters jokingly blamed the SG cricket ball, directed playful criticism at the manufacturer’s Instagram page and urged improvements in ball grip and quality so that Virat Kohli can field it properly.
These reactions trended among India cricket followers, with memes and playful comments flooding cricket forums. Several fan accounts highlighted the absurdity of the moment, turning it into a staple meme from the series.
A humorous footnote in a serious match
While the match itself had its share of drama, including Kohli’s governing of a huge chase and top-class efforts from both sides, the fielding blunder became a humorous footnote that appealed to casual and hardcore fans alike. It showed that even all-time greats like Kohli can have moments that go viral for reasons beyond runs and records.
