Virat Kohli's close bond with Rishabh Pant captivates internet during Day 3 of IND vs BAN 1st Test - A Must-See!

New Delhi: Fans got a glimpse of Virat Kohli's camaraderie with Rishabh Pant during the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. In a heartwarming moment on Day 3, the former India captain and the wicketkeeper exchanged sunglasses on the field, which quickly went viral on social media. The incident happened during the second innings of Bangladesh's batting as Kohli, standing at first slip, took a moment to share a light moment with Pant while the bowler prepared to deliver. Kohli handed over his sunglasses to Pant, who reciprocated by swapping his with Kohli's.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh were reeling on 158/4 in their mammoth chase of 515 when bad light stopped play on Saturday. India declared their second innings at 287/4 riding on twin hundreds from Pant (109) and Shubman Gill (119) with an overall lead of 514. In reply, Ravichandran Ashwin continued his dream form following up on first innings hundred with figures of 3/63 while skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 51.

The Bond of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant pic.twitter.com/2LNjoZzX1N

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) September 21, 2024

Gill (119 not out, 176b, 10×4, 4×6) and Pant (109, 128b, 148m, 13×4, 4×6) led the hosts’ run glut with an alliance of 167 off 217 balls for the fourth wicket. However, numbers have no relevance on the day as hundreds by Pant and Gill were more a testimony of their will to rise above towering personal obstacles.

Pant’s turmoil has been widely-documented after that horrifying car crash in December 2022, and the way he reacted after reaching his sixth Test hundred with a two off Shakib Al-Hasan underscored the value he attached to the knock. He stood near the middle of the crease with closed eyes, upward tilted head and a raised bat – offering a silent prayer, perhaps, to the Lord above for returning cricket to him, life even, may be.

Gill watched the whole scene from a fair distance, as he did not want to invade into an intensely private moment of his partner. Soon, the two young men melted into a warm embrace as Chepauk erupted.