7 Times Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Caught the Run Out Bug
Here’s a look at all the instances when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were involved in a run out together.
India’s captain Virat Kohli and One Day International vice-captain Rohit Sharma who boast an incredible record as a pair in ODIs – 3,518 runs in 62 innings at an average of 60.65 – seem to still have trouble understanding each other’s calls while running between the wickets.
When India were cruising at 153/1 against South Africa in the fifth ODI in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, 13 February, Kohli and Rohit got involved in a mix-up which resulted in the captain getting run out for 36 runs.
This is the seventh instance wherein the duo has been involved in a particular run out dismissal.
Here’s a look at all the seven instances, ranging back from 16 June in 2011:
1. Against West Indies, 16 June 2011
After putting on 109 runs for the fourth wicket in the fifth ODI in Kingston, Kohli misjudged a double run and got himself run out for 94 runs. Kohli struck the ball off his pads towards deep square leg, but a good throw by Ronnie Sarwan denied him the second run. And guess who was on the non-striker’s end? Rohit Sharma!
2. Against Australia, 2 November 2013
The most famous run out of all the seven on the list! Kohli was batting at 0 and in his third ball of the innings in the seventh ODI in Bengaluru, he drove the ball towards mid-on and took off for a run. Rohit acknowledged Kohli’s movement and started going for a run too, but after a few seconds he turned down the run.
Kohli who came down a long way couldn’t get back to the crease on time and was run out for a duck.
It’s the most famous one of them all because Rohit went to score the first-ever double century of his ODI career.
3. Against Sri Lanka, 13 November 2014
Another run out and another double century for Rohit Sharma. Kohli, who was looking good on 65, mishit a shot towards long-on, the fielder there decided to save the ball rather than go for the catch.
Kohli, who ran the first one hard, hesitated a bit after showing his intention to run the second run. But when Kohli hesitated, Rohit had already almost made it to the non-striker’s end.
Kohli failed to make the keeper’s end on time and was out for 66 runs. However, Rohit went onto score 264 runs off 173 balls.
4. Against Australia, 15 January 2016
Rohit and Kohli were in song together once again during an ODI against Australia.
Kohli while batting on 58, hit the ball to fine leg and set off for a run, but misjudged the second run. As he tried to come back to the striker’s end, Kane Richardson had made the throw and wicket-keeper Matthew Wade had already dislodged the bails. Kohli was out for 59 runs.
5. Against Pakistan, 4 June 2017
Rohit and Kohli were looking good in the Champions Trophy group match against Pakistan until the latter struck the ball towards point and called for a quick single.
Rohit made the required ground but when the wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed took off the bails after receiving the throw from Babar Azam, Rohit’s bat was in the air. The Mumbai batsman dived to save his wicket but in the process his bat bounced up and it remained in the air when the bails were taken off.
6. Against Australia, 28 September 2017
Kohli hit the ball towards backward point and set off for a single but right after Steve Smith carried out a brilliant dive to stop the ball, which forced Kohli to come back. However, Rohit had unfortunately made too much of ground by then and therefore Kohli and Rohit were both trying to reach the striker’s end.
Smith missed the stumps in the striker’s end, but Travis Head who was backing up, picked up the ball and threw it back to the bowler Richardson, who completed the proceedings. Rohit was run out for 65 runs.
7. Against South Africa, 13 February 2018
The latest of them all came in the fifth ODI against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday. Kohli and Rohit added 105 runs before the former was run out.
Kohli who enjoys taking cheeky singles saw an opportunity when Rohit tapped the ball near the pitch. The Mumbai batsman showed his intention to run but then realised he won’t make it and therefore called no, by then Kohli had already covered a lot of ground.
As Kohli tried to get back, the fielder JP Duminy hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. The captain was run out for 36 runs.
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