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Friendship Over Cricket: MS Dhoni Lets Kohli Have The Final Word In 2014 Semis Vs SA

Aakash Saini

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni [Source: @ICC/x]Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni [Source: @ICC/x]

Cricket is a team sport, but it is the friendship and understanding between teammates that often shape some of the game’s most memorable moments. In high-pressure situations, it’s those quiet acts of trust that speaks louder than any celebration.

Celebrating the Friendship Day on Sunday, August 3; here is a heartwarming throwback to one such moment of a silent camaraderie between Indian cricket giants Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni from April 2014.

When MS Dhoni Granted Virat Kohli The Moment Of Glory

Back on April 4 in 2014, an MS Dhoni-led Team India crossed paths with South Africa in the second semifinal of the 2014 T20 World Cup at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Chasing 173 runs for a win, then number three batter Virat Kohli smeared an explosive half-century against the likes of Dale Steyn, Albie Morkel and Imran Tahir.

Taking Team India to the edge of the finishing line, Kohli lost strike to MS Dhoni in the penultimate over of the match. However, in an ultimate act of friendship and respect, Dhoni declined to hit the winning runs by blocking the delivery and allowing Kohli the moment of glory for the following final over.

Seemingly hesitant for a moment, Virat Kohli smilingly obliged and struck the winning boundary off Dale Steyn to finish at 72* off 44 balls. Team India won the match by six wickets and five balls to spare to soar into the final.

The incident remains one of the most quietly iconic moments in India’s cricketing folklore, at least this 21st century, as a selfless gesture that still warms the hearts of fans and reminds many why the bond between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli was more than just that of tactical brilliance.