Batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were felicitated by the Baroda Cricket Association in the ongoing first ODI between India and New Zealand on Sunday (January 11).
Playing at the Kotambi Stadium, which was staging its first men’s ODI match, the veteran campaigners were presented with flower bouquets at the mid-innings break as a mark of respect.
The little ceremony became the talking point among cricket fans because of the hilarious way it was carried out.
The Baroda Cricket Association arranged a cupboard with life-size stickers of Kohli and Rohit. The duo was put inside the cupboard and brought out when their names were called during the mid-innings break.
ICC chairman Jay Shah and BCCI president Mithun Manhas were also present during the ceremony.
The unique manner of felicitation left the fans in splits and they joked about it on social media platform X.
Here are the reactions:
Coming to the match, India skipper Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first. Riding on half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell (84 off 71), Devon Conway (56 off 67) and Henry Nicholls (62 off 69), the Kiwis posted 300/8 in 50 overs.
India’s pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna claimed two wickets each, while wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned with one scalp.
