NEW DELHI: The India-Pakistan rivalry once again spilled beyond the 22 yards during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash in Dubai on Sunday, where Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf found himself locked in a dramatic duel not just with Indian batters but also with the crowd.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!On a night when India outclassed Pakistan by six wickets, chants of “Kohli, Kohli” thundered around the Dubai International Cricket Stadium each time Rauf came near the boundary ropes. The taunt was a pointed reminder of Virat Kohli’s unforgettable heroics against Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup at Melbourne, when the Indian star smacked him for two sixes in the penultimate over, a sequence that remains etched as one of the greatest moments in the rivalry’s history.WATCH: Fans taunt Haris Rauf with ‘Kohli-Kohli’ chantsThe chants hit a nerve. Initially, Rauf cupped his ear, urging the fans to get louder. Later, he went a step further, gesturing provocatively with a fighter-jet motion — a clip that has since gone viral on social media and sparked a fresh wave of outrage. The gesture was widely interpreted as an allusion to Pakistan’s controversial claims of shooting down Indian jets, further inflaming an already heated contest.WATCH: Haris Rauf’s controversial gesture to fansRauf’s aggression was not limited to the stands. On the field, he picked up 2 for 26 in his four overs, troubling India’s middle order but unable to prevent another defeat for his team. Earlier, he was also seen in verbal exchanges with India’s Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill during the chase, moments that forced umpires to intervene.India, meanwhile, let their bats do the talking. Abhishek smashed 74 off 39 balls, peppered with six boundaries and five sixes, while Gill added 47 off 28. Their 105-run opening stand dismantled Pakistan’s attack, setting up the chase of 172 with ease. Tilak Varma (30*) applied the finishing touches as India wrapped up the win in 18.5 overs.As the dust settles, the focus is on Rauf’s fiery interactions with fans. What began with abusive taunts of “Kohli-Kohli” ended with gestures that could have long-lasting repercussions — another reminder that in India-Pakistan cricket, the battle is often as fierce off the field as on it.
