ICC World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli steps with the ball in absence of injured Hardik Pandya; Watch

Virat Kohli (Pic: AFP)

India superstar Virat Kohli bowled in a one-day international for the first time in six years after all-rounder Hardik Pandya limped off midway through an over in the ICC World Cup 2023 group stage match against Bangladesh on Thursday.

Bowling gentle medium pace, Kohli conceded just two runs, a fine return given Bangladesh's openers were starting to up the tempo after stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, leading the team in place of the injured Shakib Al Hasan, won the toss.

It was the first time Kohli had bowled at this level since a 2017 return of 0-12 in two overs against Sri Lanka in Colombo -- a match where he scored 131 in a crushing 168-run win. But there was not much Kohli could do as Bangladesh advanced to 63 without loss off the opening 10 overs.

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Pandya had just been hit for consecutive boundaries by Liton Das when he appeared to twist his ankle just three balls into his stint as first change in the ninth over. Following prolonged on-field treatment, Pandya tried running into bowl. But clearly still in pain, he could only hobble towards the crease and eventually limped off the field, with key batsman Kohli completing the over to huge cheers as India fans savoured the rare sight of their hero bowling.

Left-hander Tanzid Hasan was then 40, having hooked fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for an impressive six and stylishly driven Mohammed Siraj down the ground for four. He then struck Shardul Thakur for 16 runs in three balls, two sixes -- one over square leg and the other lofted over extra-cover -- separated by a four driven through mid-on.

India are bidding for a fourth successive win at this World Cup, with Bangladesh having lost their last two matches after starting the tournament with a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan.

(With agency inputs)