In the Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand, star cricketer Virat Kohli’s cheeky tongue reaction went viral when Ravindra Jadeja removed Tom Latham in the opening innings.
In the match at the summit, the Kiwis chose to bat first after winning the toss. They did not, however, get the intended outcome from Mitchell Santner’s choice since Indian spinners rapidly made an impression. In Dubai, on a slow surface, the Kiwis struggled to counter India’s spin-heavy approach.
Early on, the fissures were there when Varun Chakaravarthy removed Will Young for 15 and then Kuldeep Yadav removed Rachin Ravindra (37), Kane Williamson (11) with a double strike. In the 23rd over, with New Zealand at 108/3, Latham emerged as their next best chance to rally. Jadeja, on the other hand, sent him packing right away.
On the middle stump, the left-armer bowled a faster delivery in the twenty-third over. When the southpaw tried a sweep shot, he badly miscalculated the length and was hit squarely in front. Latham chose to have the match reviewed, but replays revealed three reds, confirming his dismissal for just 14 off 30 balls. The umpire raised his finger without hesitation.
In his usual ebullient manner, Virat Kohli applauded the confirmation of the decision.
In a cheeky move, the former captain of India teased the departing batter by sticking his tongue out.
TRAPPED IN FRONT! 😍💪🏻
Indian spinners are all over the Kiwis and this time it’s #RavindraJadeja who gets an important wicket of #TomLatham! 🙌🏻#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar FINAL 👉 #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1!
📺📱 Start… pic.twitter.com/nKmHu5zPCw
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 9, 2025
VIRAT KOHLI’S PRICELESS REACTION TO TOM LATHAM’S WICKET !❤️#ViratKohli #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/0d71kwSMV0
— Cricket With RS (@badkebhai) March 9, 2025
India lost a review because, notably, Jadeja had tried a similar LBW call against Latham in the previous over, but the DRS showed the ball bouncing past the stumps. Nevertheless, Jadeja was unstoppable in his subsequent over, guaranteeing that the wicket-keeper-batter returned to the pavilion with New Zealand’s scorecard showing 108/4.
New Zealand is in serious jeopardy and needs a collaboration to get out of this difficult predicament. At the crease with Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, the team’s score was 143/4 after 32 overs.
India
