Virat Kohli has been part of countless wicket celebrations for India, but the Vizag ODI on Saturday produced a moment unlike any other. As Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up a brilliant bowling spell in the decisive third ODI against South Africa, Kohli grabbed the wrist-spinner by the hand and pulled him into a playful, slow-dance-style embrace. The light-hearted scene captured the mood perfectly on a day when India finally snapped their long toss drought and clawed their way back into the match with disciplined bowling led by Kuldeep. After losing 20 consecutive tosses in ODIs, India’s luck finally shifted. Stand-in captain KL Rahul ditched his usual approach and flipped the coin with his left hand. The change worked instantly, drawing smiles as India opted to bowl first. South Africa, though, threatened to punish that decision early. Quinton de Kock hammered 106 from just 89 deliveries, his seventh ODI century against India, and stitched together a 113-run stand with captain Temba Bavuma. At 168 for 2 and later 199 for 4, the visitors were poised to push well beyond 300. Rahul turned to spin initially, but when that brief control faded, he threw the ball again to Prasidh Krishna, who had been smashed for 27 in his first two overs. The tall seamer responded with a fierce comeback. He trapped Matthew Breetzke lbw, dismissed Aiden Markram with a simple catch to Kohli, and later bowled de Kock as the left-hander tried to slog across the line. Prasidh’s figures of 4 for 66 marked a remarkable turnaround within the same spell. Kuldeep then tightened India’s grip further. Using clever flight and subtle turn on a surface offering just enough grip, he dismissed Dewald Brevis, removed Marco Jansen, and later struck again to send back Corbin Bosch and Lungi Ngidi. His 4 for 41 ensured South Africa never crossed the 300-run mark they had threatened earlier. The viral moment with Kohli followed one of those late breakthroughs, with the former captain sprinting in, locking Kuldeep’s hand, and breaking into a mock dance — a clip that immediately lit up social media. On a day when India needed confidence after the Raipur setback, the scorecard will highlight Kuldeep’s four wickets and a South African collapse. But the images will tell a deeper story: a spinner operating at his peak, and a teammate celebrating him with unfiltered joy.
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