Ahmedabad: Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has gifted two cricket bats to Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz following the 23-year-old's remarkable performance in a double Super Over thriller against South Africa at the T20 World Cup. Gurbaz, who fell agonisingly short of pulling off one of the tournament's greatest chases, shared his gratitude on Instagram, calling Kohli "not just a legend" but "the inspiration for all generations."

The gesture underscores Kohli's reputation as one of cricket's most generous figures, continuing a tradition that has seen him gift bats to players ranging from India's Rinku Singh to Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan.

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A Match for the Ages

The gift came in recognition of Gurbaz's breathtaking innings on February 11 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Chasing 189, Gurbaz hammered 84 runs off just 42 deliveries, including seven sixes and four boundaries, to keep Afghanistan in contention until the final moments.

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Both teams finished regulation play tied on 187 runs, sending the match into the tournament's first-ever Super Over. After the initial Super Over also ended in a 17-17 deadlock, a second was required to determine a winner. South Africa posted 23 runs in the decisive Super Over, setting Afghanistan a target of 24 off six balls.

Gurbaz, entering the second Super Over after Mohammad Nabi fell without scoring, launched three consecutive sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj to ignite the crowd. But with Afghanistan needing five runs off the final delivery, Gurbaz was caught at point, handing South Africa a four-run victory.

Kohli's Generous Legacy

Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals after guiding India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title with a match-winning 76 in the final against South Africa, has made bat-gifting something of a personal tradition. In June 2025, he presented a bat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar after the franchise's maiden IPL title triumph. He also gifted a bat to Shakib Al Hasan following the Bangladesh all-rounder's final Test in India in September 2024, and has previously given bats to Akash Deep and young Delhi cricketers.

Gurbaz expressed his appreciation in an Instagram post, writing: "Thank you for the most amazing gift @virat.kohli bhai. You are not just a legend you are the inspiration for all generations."

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Afghanistan's Super Eight Hopes Fade

Despite Gurbaz's heroics, the defeat dealt a heavy blow to Afghanistan's Super Eight qualification prospects. Having also lost to New Zealand earlier in the tournament, the Asian nation now faces an uphill battle to progress from Group D. South Africa, meanwhile, strengthened their position at the top of the group with two wins from two matches.