In a lighthearted exchange on social media, Indian cricket stalwart Shikhar Dhawan took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, January 19, to playfully troll Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. The source of the banter was a moment during the third T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand, played at the University Oval in Dunedin on January 17.
During the sixth over of Pakistan’s run chase, Rizwan played a ball on the back foot, lost his balance, and nearly fell to the ground, inadvertently losing his bat in the process. However, in a quick and opportunistic move, Rizwan managed to seize two runs as the ball headed towards deep midwicket and long-on. The catch? Without a bat, he had to stretch extra to make the crease, touching down at the non-striker end with his hand. It was during the replay at the non-striker’s end that the short run was exposed. Rizwan’s gloves didn’t cross the popping crease but touched the ground a couple of centimeters before, leading to the award of a short run.
The video capturing this amusing incident quickly went viral on the internet, prompting Dhawan to share a picture of the moment with a cheeky three-word caption, “Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi #shortrun.”
Cricket, known for its camaraderie and banter among players, often sees such playful exchanges. Dhawan’s tweet reflects the spirit of friendly competition that extends beyond the field, providing fans with moments of entertainment and connection with their favorite players.
Moving beyond the banter, the third T20I saw Rizwan contributing 24 runs from 20 balls in Pakistan’s pursuit of a challenging 225-run target. Unfortunately for Pakistan, they faced their third consecutive defeat in the series, falling short by 45 runs. Rizwan, however, bounced back strongly in the fourth T20I, held in Christchurch on the same day. Despite his impressive 63-ball-90, Pakistan couldn’t secure a victory, losing the match by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare.
While Rizwan’s individual brilliance was evident, the team’s inability to secure a win raised questions about their overall performance in the series. Cricket enthusiasts and analysts took to social media to share their perspectives on the matches, adding to the broader conversation surrounding the teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
In the ever-evolving world of cricket, where social media has become an integral part of players’ interactions with fans, such banter adds an extra layer of enjoyment for cricket enthusiasts. Fans eagerly anticipate not only the on-field action but also the off-field camaraderie and banter that make the sport more engaging and entertaining.
As the series unfolds, cricket fans can expect more moments of brilliance, drama, and perhaps a few more lighthearted exchanges between players on and off the field. The social media buzz around Dhawan’s tweet serves as a reminder of the sport’s ability to bring people together, transcending borders and fostering a shared love for the game.