IND vs ENG [WATCH]: Liam Livingstone’s cheeky banter with Virat Kohli after DRS reprieve in the 3rd ODI

The third ODI between India and England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was not just about cricketing action but also some light-hearted moments that left fans in splits. One such incident involved India’s star batter Virat Kohli and England’s all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who engaged in a playful exchange over a DRS reprieve that saved Kohli during his innings. The banter between the two players added a touch of humour to the high-stakes match, showcasing the camaraderie that exists even amidst fierce competition.

Virat Kohli’s close save

The incident unfolded in the 15th over of India’s innings when Adil Rashid bowled a delivery that Kohli failed to connect with, resulting in the ball hitting his back foot. The England team, convinced it was a plumb LBW, went up in a loud appeal. However, the umpire remained unmoved, prompting England to opt for a DRS review.

The replay revealed that the ball was pitched marginally outside the leg stump, which meant Kohli survived by the narrowest of margins. While the ball-tracking technology showed that the delivery would have comfortably hit the stumps, the rules of the game saved Kohli, much to England’s dismay.

Also READ: Netizens react as clinical India whitewash England in the ODI series

Liam Livingstone playfully teases Kohli

As the DRS decision went in Kohli’s favour, Livingstone couldn’t resist poking fun at the Indian batter. Walking up to Kohli with a cheeky grin, Livingstone playfully teased him about the close call. Kohli, known for his competitive spirit, responded in good humour by giving Livingstone a gentle push, sparking laughter among the players and fans alike.

The light-hearted moment was a refreshing break from the intense competition and highlighted the mutual respect and friendship between the players. Interestingly, Livingstone and Kohli are set to share the dressing room in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, as the English all-rounder was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for a whopping INR 8.75 crore in the 2024 auction.

Here’s the video:

https://twitter.com/Spycricket1/status/1889607384768582134?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” data-wpel-link=”exclude

Shubman Gill’s century steals the show in 3^rd ODI

While the Kohli-Livingstone banter provided a moment of levity, the match itself was dominated by India’s stellar performance. Shubman Gill was the star of the show, scoring a sublime century (112 off 102 balls) that laid the foundation for India’s massive total of 356 runs. Supported by crucial knocks from Shreyas Iyer (78), Virat Kohli (52), and KL Rahul (40), India posted a challenging target for England.

England’s bowlers, barring Rashid (4/64) and Mark Wood (2/45), struggled to contain the Indian batters. Despite a strong start in the chase, with Philip Salt and Ben Duckett adding 60 runs for the first wicket, England crumbled under pressure, losing wickets at regular intervals. India’s bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel, each picked up two wickets to bundle out England for 214, securing a comprehensive 142-run victory.

The win completed a 3-0 series sweep for India, providing a significant confidence boost ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. With Rohit Sharma leading the side, India’s dominant performance against a strong England team sends a clear message to their rivals in the tournament.

Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant’s heartwarming encounter with a young fan