After a historic victory over South Africa in the ICC World Cup 2023 match held in Kolkata, Team India came together to celebrate the dual occasion of star batsman Virat Kohli's birthday and the match-winning performance by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The celebration included the cutting of two cakes, one by Jadeja and the other by Kohli himself.
In a lighthearted moment, Jadeja handed the cake to Kohli, who playfully hesitated before accepting it, resulting in a humorous exchange. Kohli marked his 35th birthday by achieving a remarkable milestone, scoring his 49th ODI century. On the other hand, Jadeja's stellar bowling performance secured five crucial wickets, contributing significantly to India's resounding 243-run triumph over South Africa. A video capturing this delightful moment has gained considerable attention on various social media platforms.
Watch the video here:
"It's quite special. It's all too much to take for me right now. To equal my hero's record, it's quite special for me. I grew up watching him bat and he's perfection when it comes to batting. I will never be as good as him. He is always going to be my hero whatever happens," Kohli told hos broadcaster.
"It has been an emotional journey for me. I know from where I have come and to stand here and receive that appreciation from him, it means a lot to me," he added.
The highly anticipated showdown in the 2023 World Cup between India and South Africa showcased a substantial disparity between the host nation and the other participating teams. India's performance in the tournament has been nothing short of dominant.
Just three days after their commanding victory against Sri Lanka, where they bowled out the 1996 World Cup champions for a mere 55 runs and secured a massive 302-run win, India once again demonstrated their cricketing prowess at Eden Gardens. Kohli's century, coupled with Jadeja's exceptional five-wicket haul, propelled the Indian team to an imposing 243-run victory over South Africa. This defeat marked South Africa's most significant loss in World Cup history.
The South African side was bowled out for a paltry 83 runs by India, marking their lowest-ever total in a 50-over World Cup match. This exceptional performance underlines the Indian team's outstanding form and their dominant position in the tournament, leaving cricket fans worldwide in awe of their capabilities.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
'I saw selfishness in Virat Kohli’s batting. He didn’t put the team first': Mohammad Hafeez makes shocking statement
WATCH: Stubborn Hasan Raza spews venom again, accuses BCCI of tampering with DRS; fans react angrily
