Virat Kohli & Liam Livingstone’s Banter in 3rd ODI – Genuine Fun or Competitive Edge?

Byadmin

The third ODI between India and England in Ahmedabad was full of intense cricket action, but one light-hearted moment stole the spotlight—Virat Kohli and his RCB teammate Liam Livingstone engaging in playful banter after Kohli survived a close LBW appeal.

With Kohli ending his lean patch with a crucial half-century, the match had everything—controversial reviews, friendly sledging, and Kohli’s ongoing battle with Adil Rashid. However, was this moment purely light-hearted, or was Livingstone subtly reminding Kohli how lucky he got?

The Controversial LBW Review – Kohli Survives by the “Barest of Margins”

The incident happened in the 15th over, when Adil Rashid trapped Kohli on the pads with a delivery that spun in sharply. Rashid was convinced it was out and immediately persuaded England captain Jos Buttler to take a review.

📺 Ball-Tracking Results:

  • The ball pitched very close to leg stump
  • It beat Kohli’s inside edge and struck the pad
  • But it pitched just outside leg stump, meaning the decision remained NOT OUT

While the margin was extremely close, the DRS ruled in Kohli’s favor, and Rashid was left frustrated as Kohli, then on 38, got a lucky escape.

Liam Livingstone’s Sledging Attempt – A Genuine Joke or Mind Games?

As soon as the decision came in Kohli’s favor, Liam Livingstone walked up to Kohli with a cheeky grin, seemingly mocking the Indian batter’s close escape. Kohli, in typical fashion, playfully pushed Livingstone away, and both players shared a laugh.

💬 What Made This Moment Special?

  • Livingstone and Kohli are now IPL teammates at RCB, adding a layer of camaraderie.
  • Kohli is known for giving it back—so seeing him laugh it off was a rare moment of light-heartedness.
  • With India dominating the series, Livingstone’s banter might have been an attempt to keep the energy up for England.

But was Livingstone just joking, or was he subtly trying to get into Kohli’s head before the IPL 2025 season?

Kohli’s Joy Was Short-Lived – Adil Rashid Strikes Back Again!

While Kohli looked set for a big score, his innings ended in frustration as Adil Rashid dismissed him for the second consecutive match.

🎯 How Rashid Got Kohli Out Again:

  • Rashid tossed up a drifting delivery
  • It pitched outside leg stump and turned away
  • Kohli tried to push at it but got an outside edge
  • Phil Salt took an easy catch behind the stumps

Kohli’s reaction? A mix of frustration and disappointment—he knew he missed out on a big hundred after getting past 50.

Adil Rashid – Kohli’s New Nightmare in ODIs?

With this dismissal, Rashid has now joined Tim Southee and Josh Hazlewood in an elite group of bowlers who have dismissed Kohli the most times in international cricket.

Bowlers Who Have Dismissed Virat Kohli the Most (All Formats):

BowlerTimes Dismissed Kohli
Tim Southee (NZ)11
Josh Hazlewood (AUS)11
Adil Rashid (ENG)11
James Anderson (ENG)10
Nathan Lyon (AUS)10

Rashid’s dominance over Kohli raises a crucial question: Will teams exploit Kohli’s struggles against quality leg-spin in the upcoming Champions Trophy and IPL 2025?

India’s Batting Performance – Shubman Gill Leads the Charge

While Kohli’s 52 was vital, the star of the innings was Shubman Gill, who continued his dream form with another fifty-plus score.

India’s Key Batting Performances (3rd ODI vs ENG):

  • Shubman Gill – 72* (Leading the innings)
  • Virat Kohli – 52 (Dismissed by Rashid)
  • Rohit Sharma – 1 (Early wicket, failed to contribute)

With Rohit falling early, India needed a solid partnership, and Kohli-Gill’s 116-run stand provided stability before Kohli’s exit.

At the 25-over mark, India was 161/2, setting up a strong platform for a big total.

The Bigger Picture – What Does This Mean for IPL 2025 & Champions Trophy?

Will Kohli & Livingstone’s Banter Continue at RCB?

  • Livingstone, bought by RCB for ₹8.75 crore, will now share a dressing room with Kohli.
  • Will this friendly exchange turn into competitive aggression in IPL 2025?

Can Adil Rashid Keep Troubling Kohli?

  • Kohli’s outside-edge struggles against Rashid are now a trend.
  • Opposition teams will take note ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Can Shubman Gill Become India’s ODI Mainstay?

  • Gill is India’s most consistent ODI batter currently.
  • With Rohit & Kohli in the latter stages of their careers, is Gill the new pillar of Indian batting?

A Fun Moment or a Preview of Future Rivalries?

✅ Why This Moment Was Special:

  • Showed camaraderie between IPL teammates Kohli & Livingstone.
  • Added entertainment to an otherwise one-sided series.
  • Proved that Kohli still has his sharp sense of humor on the field.

❌ Why This Moment Could Be a Warning for Kohli:

  • He barely survived the LBW call.
  • Rashid dismissed him again—his weakness against leg-spin remains a concern.
  • With Livingstone now his IPL teammate, will their banter turn into rivalry in RCB training sessions?

While Livingstone & Kohli’s exchange was all in good spirits, the real battle will be in IPL 2025, where both players will be crucial for RCB’s title hopes.

👉 Was this just friendly banter, or is Liam Livingstone subtly preparing to challenge Kohli in the IPL?

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