India v Australia 2023

Watch: Marcus Stoinis and Virat Kohli bump chests in good-natured face-off during third India-Australia ODI

by Wisden Staff March 22, 2023 - 4:50pm 2 minute read

Watch: Marcus Stoinis and Virat Kohli turned on the heat with a fiery yet friendly shoulder barge during the deciding ODI between India and Australia.

On a slow wicket that turned on occasion, both teams enjoyed phases of having an upper hand over the other. In the 21st over, Stoinis, who shared the new ball with Mitchell Starc, got shoulder-barged by Kohli – the match’s only half centurion – as India’s chase intensified.

Kohli turned around, a typically intense look on his face, his gaze following Stoinis as he walked past. A little smirk escaped Stoinis, suggesting that it was only a friendly face-off between the two players.

The two players have been long-standing opponents in international cricket, ever since Stoinis debuted for Australia in 2015. Stoinis also played under Virat Kohli at IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019.

Kohli, then on 29, was eventually dismissed on 54 off 72. The Indian chase derailed thereafter, with the hosts bowled out for 248 in 49.1 overs chasing 270. Australia took the series 2-1, and became the No.1 ranked men’s ODI side in the process.