Pandya enjoys sweet revenge over birthday boy Kohli
Hardik Pandya got covered in cake when he turned 24 last month and enjoyed returning the favour to Virat Kohli this weekend.
Published : Nov 05, 2017 16:29 IST
A grinning Hardik Pandya celebrated sweet revenge over Virat Kohli as the India team celebrated their skipper's 29th birthday by smearing him with cake.
When Pandya turned 24 last month, the all-rounder had cake rubbed all over his face and body by his team-mates.
Pandya vowed to get his own back in a video posted on Twitter and was able to do just that on Saturday following India's Twenty20 defeat to New Zealand in Rajkot.
Kohli was presented with two cakes on the eve of his birthday ... and what happened next was both predictable and enjoyable.
Earlier, the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal, Rohit Sharma and a few other Team India members took great joy to put cake all over Pandya's face and body when he celebrated his birthday.
A few days later, Pandya took to Twitter to post a video of the celebrations and swore revenge.
Earlier, hours before Kohli's birthday celebrations began, India lost in the 2nd T20 to New Zealand at Rajkot.
New Zealand opener Colin Munro scored a brilliant unbeaten 109 off just 58 balls to fashion in New Zealand's 40-run win.
The Kiwis then bowled a disciplined line and length to make sure the 197-run target was out of reach from India's famed batting line-up.
While Kohli celebrated with the entire squad, wishes flooded in from all around the world.
Kohli’s idol Sachin Tendulkar was among the many big cricketing names who congratulated the Indian captain.
“A young, passionate cricketer is now the leader of a world beating team. U’ve come a long way, wish you tons of success ??#HappyBirthdayVirat,” tweeted Tendulkar.
After being part of the celebrations, coach Ravi Shastri wrote: “Happy Birthday, @imVkohli. Have yet another fabulous year. God bless.”
Former India batsman VVS Laxman added: “Wishing the best in everything you do in your life @imVkohli. May your dedication & passion continue to inspire us all.”
Kohli has shattered a host of records but many greats of the game feel his best is yet to come.
During the ODI series, he became the fastest to get to 9000 runs and that was just days after he surpassed Ricky Ponting to be second in the list of all-time ODI century makers with 31 centuries, only behind Tendulkar (49).
His numbers across formats are staggering. Kohli averages 49.55 in 60 Tests, 55.74 202 ODIs and 53.97 in 54 T20 Internationals. In total, he has amassed 49 international hundreds.