The wicket of Virat Kohli is significant for any bowler and it was no surprise that Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Khaleel Ahmed celebrated passionately after dismissing the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper during their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Saturday.

Kohli took a couple of steps forward to drive the ball through the cover region but ended up edging it to Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps as RCB were down to 18/2 while chasing 176. Khaleel ended up with figure of 3/37 but it was not enough for his team as RCB were able to clinch the match by four wickets.

After the match, Kohli was caught on camera mocking Khaleel’s wicket celebration by re-enacting the hand gesture and both players broke into laughter after Kohli’s impersonation of the moment.

RCB ended their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 campaign on a winning note, thanks to half-centuries by Shimron Hetmyer and Gurkeerat Singh Mann, which helped the side register a four-wicket win.

Virat Kohli is such an amazing guy. Here he mocks Khaleel’s celebration after Khaleel dismissed him. Always happy when youngsters do well. Can remember the way he rejoiced Karun Nair’s success. pic.twitter.com/y1OtzdqbNR

— The Goan Patiala 🥃🥃 (@TheGoanPatiala) May 4, 2019

It was the crucial 144-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Hetmyer (75 off 47) and Gurkeerat (65 off 48) which set the platform for a much-needed victory for the hosts. Hetmyer’s knock contained four boundaries and six hits into the stands while Gurkeerat’s innings was laced with eight fours and a six.

For entering the play-offs, Hyderabad will now have to depend on the result of Sunday’s contest between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians as both Kolkata and Hyderabad have 12 points each.

(With agency inputs)

First Published: May 05, 2019 13:44 IST