While the Indian cricket team was taking the field against the West Indies in the first T20I in Florida on Saturday, a video – featuring skipper Virat Kohli, his deputy Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja – did the rounds on social media to the delight of fans.
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The emergence of the video, featuring both the protagonists and Jadeja, one of the most popular cricketers, indeed helped assuage the fear of rift. It sure looked like a deliberate act, following a pre-determined script with appropriate props. But the post from SPN-Sports, the official broadcasters of the West Indies-India series, was welcomed by fans.
In the video, Rohit and Jadeja play dumb charade with the later enacting on the vice-captain's cue. In one act, Rohit used a play card with Kohli's name on it. An impressed Kohli ended up blushing. And the caption read: "What do you think Ravindra Jadeja was trying to communicate with Rohit Sharma about Virat Kohli?"
Watch it here:
The build-up to the series was dominated by talks of a rift between the skipper Virat Kohli and his deputy Rohit Sharma. Fuelled by unwarranted social media posts, rather activities from either camp and unconfirmed reports, the reported rift became a national concern which forced the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators to issue statements. Kohli also did his best to present a counter-narrative, but the skipper found himself feeding on the rumour mill by posting a 'squad' photo sans Rohit.
India registered a four-wicket win over the Windies to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.