Virat Kohli’s lively “nagin dance” celebration after Glenn Phillips’ dismissal in the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara drew widespread attention on social media.
Virat Kohli once again showed his animated on-field personality during the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara, producing a celebration that quickly went viral. Known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve, the Indian superstar expressed his joy in an unusual manner after a crucial wicket fell in India’s favour.
The moment came when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed the dangerous Glenn Phillips, a breakthrough that proved vital for the Indian team. Phillips, who has the ability to change the course of a match quickly, was seen as a major threat on a flat surface in Vadodara.
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Phillips was batting on 12 when Kuldeep Yadav floated one up to him. The right-handed batter went for a drive but mistimed the shot, sending the ball straight into the hands of Shreyas Iyer at backward point. Iyer completed a sharp catch to end Phillips’ stay at the crease.
As soon as the wicket fell, the Indian team celebrated enthusiastically, but it was Kohli who stood out. The former India captain pointed towards Iyer and broke into a “naagin celebration”, pretending to play a flute with his hands and appearing to tease the fielder after the brilliant catch. Watch the clip below.
The celebration reflected the importance of the wicket. Glenn Phillips is known as a destructive middle-order batter who can snatch the game away in a short span of time. With New Zealand building towards a strong total, the dismissal of Phillips eased the pressure on India, which explained Kohli’s visible excitement.
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