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Google Googly Of The Day: Cricket is full of surprises, and occasionally it does something so odd that it leaves a lasting impression. One such uncommon and humorous incident involving none other than Virat Kohli, the cricketing superstar of India, occurred in 2011. But this time, his unexpected, record-breaking moment with the ball, rather than his bat, made the news.

Not A Bowler, But Took A Wicket Anyway:

Although he is typically seen with the ball, everyone knows Kohli as a fierce batsman. Fans were therefore intrigued when he was offered the opportunity to bowl in a T20 match against England in Manchester. Everyone was stunned by what transpired next, though. Kohli took a wicket even though he didn't bowl a proper (legal) delivery.

What Is A “Wicket On The 0th Ball”?

It gets a little technical here, but don't worry, we'll keep it easy. For a ball to be counted in an over in cricket, it must be legal, that is, neither a wide nor a no-ball. But sometimes, a batsman can still be dismissed even on an illegal delivery. For example, if a bowler throws a wide ball and the batsman steps out of the crease, the wicketkeeper can stump him out. That’s exactly what happened with Kohli.

The Wild Moment Against England:

England was pursuing India's total in a T20 match at Old Trafford on August 31, 2011. For the first time in T20 Internationals, MS Dhoni, who is always willing to try new things, gave the ball to Virat Kohli. Kohli’s very first delivery was a wide down the leg side. Kevin Pietersen, one of England’s best, charged forward but missed. Dhoni, quick as lightning, stumped him out.

And just like that, Kohli had taken a wicket, even though his first ball was a wide and didn’t count as a legal delivery. In the match records, it showed: Overs: 0.0 | Wickets: 1 | Runs: 0. It was a wicket on the 0th ball, something that had never happened before in men’s international cricket.

The Rules That Made It Possible:

You might wonder how that’s even allowed. According to cricket rules, a batsman can still be stumped even if the ball is wide. Therefore, in a technical sense, Kohli did not violate any rules; rather, he accomplished an extremely uncommon feat.

A Unique Record:

Although some other bowlers, such as Shakib Al Hasan and Graeme Swann, have also claimed wickets off wide deliveries, none of them have done so in international T20 cricket. That’s what makes Kohli’s record so special. It was his debut as a T20I bowler, and he made history instantly, with a ball that didn’t even count.

Kohli’s Bowling Career: A Rare Sight:

Though he’s famous for his batting, Kohli has bowled a few overs here and there in ODIs and T20s. However, this one-wicket moment has turned into his most famous bowling statistic. One big wicket, one delivery, and no runs. Experts and cricket fans couldn't stop discussing it after it happened. Jokes, memes, and amazement were all over social media. With a perfect strike rate and no legal balls bowled, some people dubbed it the greatest bowling debut ever.

Why This Moment Is Still Important?

This bizarre yet real cricket tale serves as a reminder of why we adore the game. Cricket does something wholly unexpected just when you think you've seen it all. Anything can happen in this lovely, unpredictable sport, as demonstrated by Kohli's wicket on the 0th ball. This moment will always be brought up in years to come when people discuss rare records and interesting cricket trivia. It's a crazy bowling statistic that became a part of his legacy, even for someone like Kohli, who is renowned for his hundreds and game-winning innings.

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