At the close of Day 2 in the first Test between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park, Centurion, the hosts secured an 11-run lead, finishing at 256/5. The day showcased stellar performances, with Dean Elgar leading the charge for South Africa by scoring his 14th Test century (140* off 211).

Meanwhile, KL Rahul, resuming his innings at 70*, added to India’s total by completing his 8th Test century (101 off 137), contributing to India’s first-innings total of 245.

One of the intriguing moments of the day featured Virat Kohli employing a trick borrowed from former England fast bowler Stuart Broad. Mimicking Broad’s superstitious bail-flip move, Kohli flipped the bails at the striker’s end ahead of the 29th over of South Africa’s innings, just as Tony de Zorzi was set to face Jasprit Bumrah.

ALSO READ: KL Rahul opens up on how social media trolling affects players

In a surprising turn of events, Zorzi fell victim to the tactic, edging the ball to third slip, breaking the 93-run stand. Bumrah continued his impact by dismissing Keegan Petersen in the following over.

‘Bail’ wizardry ft. our very own KING! 😆😁

Tune-in to Day 2 of the #SAvIND 1st Test
LIVE NOW | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/MYUeJ2WGTO

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2023

With success @imVkohli ?! https://t.co/yKmPajb2sg

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) December 27, 2023

Stuart Broad, who previously used the bail-flip during the Ashes 2023, took note of Kohli’s adaptation and humorously inquired if the trick proved successful for India. Broad’s bail-flip tactic had proven effective during the fifth Test at Kennington Oval, London. On Day 2, he flipped the bail at the striker’s end before the fifth ball of the 43rd over in Australia’s first innings, resulting in Mark Wood finding the outside edge of Marnus Labuschagne’s bat.

𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲: Stuart Broad
𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Mind Games Extraordinaire

Incredible, Broady 😂👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/MdeuNgrN2F

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 28, 2023

In a dramatic turn on Day 5, with England seeking the last two wickets for victory, Broad once again flipped the bails, this time accounting for Todd Murphy’s edge. The veteran seamer, potentially in his last Test match, secured the final wicket, helping England level the series 2-2.

In 20 years’ time village cricketers searching for a wicket will still be swapping the bails over and trying to ‘do a Broad.’ If that’s not sporting immortality, I don’t know what is. Thanks for everything @StuartBroad8 🏏 pic.twitter.com/UoNM7U2uSt

— Jason Keen (@Jason_Keen) July 31, 2023

Broad credited the bail-flip technique to Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who used it to change luck on multiple occasions. The unconventional move has now made its way to international cricket, with Kohli trying a variation of it in the ongoing Test against South Africa.

ALSO READ: “The Indian team really misses him” – Dinesh Karthik on Mohammed Shami

The unique cricketing superstition adds an element of intrigue to the ongoing Test series and serves as a quirky example of how traditions and tricks can transcend geographical boundaries in the cricketing world.