The lighthearted interaction occurred as the stadium DJ played Cena’s entrance theme, which has become the customary walk-out music for Phillips. Despite Kohli’s enthusiastic performance, the gesture appeared to go unnoticed by both Phillips and his batting partner, Daryl Mitchell, who were focused on their mid-pitch conversation. The incident quickly gained traction online, with footage of the exchange circulating among cricket fans shortly after the match.
Kohli reaches historic ODI milestone
Beyond the viral moment, Kohli delivered a commanding performance with the bat, anchoring India’s successful chase. He contributed a rapid 74 runs from just 51 deliveries, playing a pivotal role in India’s five-wicket victory over the hosts.
This innings also secured a notable statistical achievement for the veteran batter. With this performance, Kohli became the first player to maintain an ODI batting average exceeding 50 across all four SENA countries: South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
Kohli’s record in these nations highlights his consistency in diverse conditions. In South Africa, he has accumulated 993 runs in 18 innings at an average of 76.38, featuring three centuries and six half-centuries. His record in England stands at 1,493 runs across 36 innings with an average of 51.48, including one century and 14 half-centuries. In New Zealand, he has now tallied 670 runs in 14 innings at an average of 51.53, with one century and five half-centuries to his name. Finally, his record in Australia remains impressive, with 1,401 runs in 32 innings at an average of 50.03, supported by five centuries and seven half-centuries.
