Virat Kohli playfully punches Southee, but the unexpected twist steals the show in viral Pune Test video

Despite the talk surrounding his recent performance, including batting against spinners, Virat Kohli became the talk of social media for a completely different reason. A video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, during the ongoing Test match at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, went viral on Friday. The clip featured Kohli engaging in a hilarious moment with former New Zealand captain Tim Southee, setting the internet abuzz.

In the video, highlighting the camaraderie between the two senior cricketers, as the two teams were making their way towards the field, Southee and Kohli stopped each other and the latter appeared to punch the fast bowler and then push him away, all in a playful fashion, before running away as he had a smile on his face.

Virat Kohli teases Southee with a punch then pushes him away, but final reaction takes the cake in viral Pune Test clip

Last week, New Zealand scripted history in Bengaluru in the series opener, where Tom Latham's men beat India by eight wickets to register their first win in the country in 36 years. Overall, it was their third Test victory in India since they first toured the country in 1955.

On Friday, New Zealand inched closer to their maiden Test series win in India after they folded the hosts for just 156 runs in the first innings, before taking a 301-run lead.

The day began with Mitchell Santner spinning a web around the famed India batting line-up, picking a career-best first-class figure of 7 for 53 to destroy India as New Zealand, who scored 259 on Day 1 in the first innings, earned a healthy 103-run lead in Pune.

Captain Latham then consolidated the lead with his knock of 86 as New Zealand reached 198/5 at stumps. Tom Blundell (30 not out) had Glenn Phillips (7 not out) for company when stumps were drawn. The only silver lining for India was Washington Sundar's continuing good show. He completed 11 wickets in the match, adding four more to his career-best first-innings haul of seven.

A historic win for New Zealand, will, however, end India's prized 18-series winning streak at home that dates back to 2013. It will also leave India's WTC final qualification hopes in a difficult spot.