Amid a high-octane atmosphere at the Gabba in Brisbane, the third Test match between Australia and India provided a moment that encapsulated the fierce spirit of cricket’s greatest rivalry. Virat KohliNo cartoon figure in the field, caught sharp to dismiss Marnus Labuschagneand his celebration was silent.
Virat Kohli takes a nice catch to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne, who played a key role for Australia’s batting, was looking to steady the ship after early setbacks. Face to face Nitish Kumar Reddyhe managed a delivery straight to Kohli at second slip. The catch was taken with all the precision expected of Kohli, but the headlines were what followed.
An iconic holiday
As the ball fell into Kohli’s hands, he didn’t just celebrate; issued a statement. Holding a finger to his lips, he motioned for silence to the raucous Gabba crowd. It wasn’t just a layoff; This was in response to earlier taunts and jokes from the crowd, particularly against Muhammad Siraj, who had been cheated after taking a bail in the previous Test.
Kohli’s ‘shut up’ gesture has become iconic in his career, often used to respond to the opposition crowd or silence chants while in the zone. This event at the Gabba was no different; it was a mixture of passion, defiance and a touch of showmanship.
Also READ: AUS vs IND (Twitter reactions): Travis Head, Steve Smith’s ton puts India on the back foot despite Jasprit Bumrah’s backhand hit on Day 2 of Brisbane Test.
We present the video:
The man with the golden arm of India! 😍
Nitish Kumar Reddy breaks the blooming partnership as Marnus Labuschagne leaves! 👏#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 Test 3, Day 2, LIVE NOW! | #Toughest Competition #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/p6wNCCZuTp
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 15, 2024
Animated antiques background
Notably, the crowd at the Gabba was not only there to support their team, but was also vocal in their banter with the Indian players. Siraj had previously engaged in some mind games with Labuschagne, switching the hostages, much to the ire of the audience. Kohli’s celebration can be seen in solidarity with his teammate and in response to the behavior of the crowd.
Social media platforms exploded with reactions to Kohli’s celebration. Posts, tweets and shares on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) praised Kohli’s competitive spirit and ability to turn moments into memorable ones. A video clip of his gesture went viral, with users exploring the significance of his actions not just in the context of the match, but in the larger narrative of Kohli’s career and love-hate relationship with the Australian crowd.
