After the Pandya blunder, Kohli bowls for the first time in six years

 After the Pandya blunder, Kohli bowls for the first time in six years

In the World Cup encounter against Bangladesh on Thursday, all-rounder Hardik Pandya hobbled out halfway through an over, forcing India's great bowler Virat Kohli to take the ball for the first time in six years.

Despite Bangladesh's openers beginning to pick up the pace after stand-in skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss in place of the injured Shakib Al Hasan, Kohli only gave away two runs while bowling at a moderate medium speed.

For the first time since his 0-12 in two overs performance in a smashing 168-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2017, Kohli bowled at this level for the first time.

However, Kohli remained helpless as Bangladesh surged to 63 without loss off the first 10 overs.

Just three balls into his role as first change in the ninth over, Pandya seemed to twist his ankle after being smashed for two successive boundaries by Liton Das.

After receiving extensive on-field care, Pandya attempted to sprint inside the bowl.

However, he could barely stagger towards the crease before limping off the field. Important batsman Kohli finished the over to raucous applause from India supporters who were relishing the rare opportunity to see their idol bowl.

When Tanzid Hasan, a left-hander, was 40 years old, Mohammed Siraj had just been driven down the wicket for four and Jasprit Bumrah had been hooked for an excellent six.

A four hit past mid-on was followed by two sixes, one lofted over extra cover and the other over square leg, as he then whacked Shardul Thakur for 16 runs in three balls.

India is attempting to win its fourth straight match at this World Cup, while Bangladesh has lost its past two games after winning their tournament opener by a score of six wickets against Afghanistan.