Virat Kohli & AB de Villiers ahead of IND vs SA clash (Twitter)
As Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli celebrates his 35th birthday today, the atmosphere at Kolkata's Eden Gardens is charged with emotion and anticipation. Adding to the excitement of the World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa is a special moment that unfolded on the field: a heartwarming encounter between Kohli and South African cricket legend AB de Villiers.
IND vs SA: Kohli's birthday marked by warm rmbrace with de Villiers
As Kohli was training on the field, the duo came together and hugged each other sending the stadium erupting in a wild roar.
Kohli, gearing up for a pivotal match in the World Cup, is not only riding on the high of his birthday but also on the cusp of potentially equalling Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. Amidst this significant milestone, the warm embrace with de Villiers, his former teammate and long-time friend, added a touch of emotional resonance to the occasion.
The Eden Gardens crowd, witnessing this union, responded with a thunderous cheer, reflecting the deep admiration and affection that both players command across the cricketing world.
Meanwhile, today's match against South Africa at Eden Gardens is not just a crucial encounter in the World Cup; it's a celebration of Kohli's illustrious career and his massive impact on the sport.
At the time of writing this article, India has won the toss and decided to bat first. The Men in Blue are playing the same team whereas South Africa has made one change as Tabraiz Shamsi replaces Gerald Coetzee. While South Africa will look to topple India from the top spot, Rohit Sharma’s men will aim to consolidate their spot at the pinnacle of the points table.