What separates the greats from the very good is how they rise to the occasion and produce moments that turn the game on its head out of thin air. Virat Kohli, having thus become synonymous with cricketing greatness, proved yet again in the Eliminator why the world holds him in such high regard.
Rajasthan Royals seemed to be cruising to the subpar target of 173 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Ahmedabad on Wednesday with just 62 to get off the seven overs and as many wickets still in hand. The in-form batters Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel were at the crease and had begun well, aiming to take the team home comfortably themselves. However, just when things seemed to be getting bleak for the Bangalore side, former skipper Virat Kohli turned up the heat with a scintillating bit of fielding to put the game in balance once again.
On the first ball of the 14th over, Parag pulled a Cameron Green delivery between midwicket and square leg before sprinting across for a double. However, Jurel was late to respond to the call for a second run but the acres of space in the outfield meant the run should have been more than comfortable. However, Virat Kohli sprinted across the turf like a bolt and in one rapid smooth motion picked up the ball before slinging it towards the non-striker’s end. Freakishly, the off-balance throw ended perfectly at waist height close to the stumps but the chaotic events took place at such pace that Green had not made his way back to the poles. The tall Australian thus rushed back towards the crease and in a desperate effort collected the ball to uproot the stump.
Interestingly, replays showed that while Jurel was unarguably caught short of the crease, Green had failed to grab hold of the Kookaburra cleanly. The white rock was somehow lodged between his left wrist and right-hand, and slipped out of his control as soon as he struck the stumps. The laws of the game state the ball needs to be ‘held’ by the player executing the run-out but the third-umpire judged Green’s effort satisfactory enough to give the decision in RCB’s favour, sparking fervent debate online.
What a throw!
Massive effort!
THAT RUNOUT
SALUTE KOHLI AND GREEN MAN WHAT THE FKUC WAS THAT!!!
THIS GAME IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE FOR RCB!!!!
but i am still not confident yet#ViratKohli #RCBvsRR pic.twitter.com/1qOuUoYuaV— Indian at Heart (@XesByIndian) May 22, 2024
This should be given not out because fielder is not in control and his hand which cantact with stumps https://t.co/QUV0QeAMG2
— Mr_Unstopable_49 (@karna_4910) May 22, 2024
Ohhh!!!
Yes he brilliantly managed!
Cam Green was so lucky here.. he almost spilled the ball from his hands. #RRvRCB pic.twitter.com/qq9tc7csSb
— Madras Man (@newbatsman) May 22, 2024
Cam green is bowling his heart out today man’s worth every penny also what fielding by VK 💯🥵 #RCBvsRR
— Aditya (@Aditya82313733) May 22, 2024
Great!
Cam green what a performnace
— 👽 (@hranjha92) May 22, 2024
Yeah he did!
A rocket throw by Virat Kohli to run-out Dhruv Jurel….!!!! 🚀🔥
Only King Kohli can do that!!!! 👑🥵#ViratKohli #RRvRCB #RCBvsRR #IPL2024 #TATAIPL2024 pic.twitter.com/uc1Oc36nQN— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) May 22, 2024
The Man,The Myth & the legend,#VK18.What an enthusiasm in the field,an unimaginable throw & gets Jurel run-out with this unbelievable throw.I have admired him as the greatest.#RCBvsRR#RRvsRCB pic.twitter.com/3UqeY0OeoP
— Taha (@Taha75618) May 22, 2024
Brilliant throw!
