In a heartwarming moment at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Rohit Sharma playfully urged Virat Kohli to raise his bat after the Indian legend reached his 75th ODI fifty.
Kohli, who had faced immense criticism after two consecutive ducks earlier in the series, looked emotional and subdued upon reaching the milestone. He simply looked down and acknowledged the crowd with a nod, seemingly choosing not to celebrate the half-century.
But Rohit Sharma — ever the friend, captain, and partner — shouted from the other end, gesturing and smiling as he said, “Abey bat utha!” (“Hey, lift your bat!”). The crowd instantly caught on, erupting into cheers as Kohli finally raised his bat to acknowledge the applause.
It was a small but deeply symbolic moment — a show of brotherhood, trust, and mutual respect between India’s two modern greats.
The duo, often called ‘Ro-Ko’, also brought up their 100-run stand, steering India closer to victory in the chase of 237. With Kohli batting on 50 off 57 balls and Rohit on 78 off 85, the partnership has not just revived India’s innings but also reignited memories of their iconic camaraderie on the field.
Fans on social media hailed the gesture, calling it “a reminder that legends lift each other — literally.”
