Watch: Virat Kohli greets ball boys before taking flawless catch to dismiss Joe Root in Cuttack

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja broke England's momentum just when they looked in control by dismissing Joe Root in the ongoing second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday (February 9).

Ravindra Jadeja's clever bowling brought the crucial breakthrough India needed at that moment, and Virat Kohli equally deserves praise for sending Joe Root back into the pavilion in the ongoing second ODI in Cuttack.

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja break Joe Root's dominance in Cuttack

On the third ball of the 43rd over, Root tried to create some space, but Jadeja delivered a full, drifting ball on the middle stump. However, Root connected well while attempting a lofted shot but failed to keep it down, and then Virat Kohli didn't make any mistake to ensure his exit.

Read Also: Joe Root surpasses Eoin Morgan to become England's greatest ODI batter

Virat Kohli, who was positioned at long-off, moved calmly to his left and completed an easy catch, sending Root back to the pavilion after his stunning knock of 69 runs off 72 balls with six boundaries.

In the air and taken comfortably by Virat Kohli 👌👌

Second wicket for Ravindra Jadeja 😎

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— BCCI (@BCCI) February 9, 2025

Virat Kohli’s sweet gesture for ball boys in Cuttack goes viral

Before taking Root’s catch, Virat Kohli was seen shaking hands with the ball boys in Cuttack. The jam-packed crowd at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack had already given a thunderous welcome to the former Indian captain when Rohit Sharma had announced his return to the XI.

And now, Kohli’s classy yet sweet gesture for the ball boy at the Barabati stadium has been doing rounds on the internet. In the viral video, the dashing right-handed batter was seen walking up the boundary line and shaking hands with the lucky boys in Cuttack.

After which the joy on the lucky ball boys’ faces was just unmissable. And even one was also seen trying to copy Kohli, as the iconic Indian cricketer was cleanly taking the catch of Root off Jadeja’s bowling. Now, the clip of this heartwarming moment is going viral on social media.

pic.twitter.com/PmCrMWk4yz

— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) February 9, 2025

Notably, Kohli has taken two catches in the ongoing second ODI, as England posted 304 runs on the board, thanks to Ben Duckett and Joe Root’s brilliant half centuries, while Liam Livingstone contributed 41 runs off 32 balls.

Read Also: Watch: Mohammed Shami annihilated by Adil Rashid as England star hits him for 3 consecutive boundaries

It will be interesting to see what effect the dew has during India's chase: Ben Duckett

On the other hand, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler chipped in with 30+ runs. For India, Ravindra Jadeja was the standout performer with the ball, taking a three-wicket haul. During the innings break, Ben Duckett expressed his satisfaction with England's solid start.

He further mentioned that the pitch was tricky, keeping low at times, and it would be interesting to see how dew affects the second innings as India needs 305 runs to clinch the ODI series. Ben

Duckett was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, “I felt like it was a pretty good start. Even in the start and in the end, the ball was keeping low. It will be interesting to see what effect the dew has in the second innings. It’s great; most of the time I feel he is the one who is going to take us off to a flier, and I will play second fiddle. He was smart today and gave me more of the strike as I was timing the ball well. 300 is a decent total, as I said; hopefully, the pitch gets worse, and it works in our favor.”