After his iconic 2024 Chepauk tease and the 2025 Raipur ODI celebration, Virat Kohli brings back the snake dance to keep the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp lively
The intensity of a title defence can weigh heavy on any side, but if you ask Virat Kohli, the easiest way to shake off the pressure is with a flick of the wrist and a little snake‑like sway. In a recent high‑stakes training session for the ongoing IPL 2026 season, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru talisman turned the middle of the ground into his personal stage, breaking into a playful "Naagin" dance that has now set social media on fire.
Virat Kohli is mostly known for the fierce, competitive fire that often intimidates opponents, but this lighter side of "King Kohli" is a refreshing reminder of the charisma that makes him a global icon. In the widely circulated clip, Virat Kohli is seen mimicking the iconic celebration, a move that has deep roots in South Asian cricket rivalry, leaving the Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammates and coaching staff in splits.
Where the Naagin dance first appeared – a quick walk down memory lane
For anyone who has followed Indian cricket for the past few years, the "Naagin" dance is more than just a quirky move – it is a cultural meme. The first time Virat Kohli performed it was during the 2024 Test match at Chepauk against Bangladesh, when Virat Kohli famously poked the visitors with their own infamous gesture. The whole stadium erupted, and the replay loops on YouTube still get millions of views every weekend.
After that, the dance re‑appeared in a different guise during the December 2025 ODI against South Africa in Raipur. When Arshdeep Singh sent Quinton de Kock back to the pavilion early, Virat Kohli erupted into the snake‑style celebration, his arms winding like a cobra, the crowd cheering as if they were at a Bollywood set.
These moments built a legend around the dance, making it a sort of inside joke between the cricketing fraternity and the everyday fan who watches the game from a chai stall in Chennai or a rooftop in Bengaluru.
What happened on the training ground this week?
During a routine session at the RCB practice facility, the coaching staff was focused on death‑over strategies. The bowlers were working on yorkers, the batsmen on flicks, and the fielders were rehearsing a few high‑catch drills. In the middle of this, Virat Kohli asked the ball boys to bring a spare net rope, pretended it was a snake, and then slipped into the classic Naagin sway. The camera that was set up to record the batting drill captured the entire act, and within minutes the video was ripped off to Instagram Reels, Twitter, and even the older fans on WhatsApp groups.
Virat Kohli’s facial expression was a mix of mischief and mock seriousness – eyebrows raised, a half‑smile, the kind of look you give a friend when you’re about to pull a prank. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammates burst out laughing, some trying to copy the moves, while the coaching staff pretended to be stern, shaking their heads but clearly enjoying the break from the usual grind.
It was not a rehearsed promotional stunt. The spontaneity of the moment made it feel authentic, a genuine slice of life from the RCB camp. That authenticity is exactly why the clip resonated so strongly with fans across the country.
Social media reaction – memes, jokes, and genuine admiration
The digital reaction was swift and humorous. Within the first hour, a popular Indian cricket meme page posted a side‑by‑side comparison of the 2024 Chepauk tease and the new training‑ground Naagin, captioning it "From Test to Practice – Still Slithering". The post racked up over a hundred thousand likes and thousands of comments.
One user, known for witty cricket commentary, joked that RCB’s resident prankster, Mr. Nags, might finally be winning the influence war over Virat Kohli: “Ahem… seems like Mr. Nags is having a rather profound effect on Mr. Kohli.” The comment sparked a thread of jokes about the unseen ‘snake whisperer’ behind the team.
Others argued that Virat Kohli wasn’t dancing at all, but rather mimicking a particularly awkward catch‑taking incident from an earlier match against Chennai Super Kings. “It’s not a Naagin dance; he’s acting out how Abhinandan took that catch in the CSK game!” wrote a former domestic player turned analyst, sparking a friendly debate in the comments.
Meanwhile, fan videos started pouring in where people tried to copy the moves from home – on balconies in Delhi, on verandas in Hyderabad, even in small towns where cricket is the only sport that gets a TV. The hashtag #KohliNaagin trended for a full day, with dozens of kids posting their own interpretations.
Why moments like these matter for team chemistry
Practice sessions are typically focused on death‑over strategies, powerplay stats, and fitness drills, but moments like the Naagin dance are critical for team chemistry. As Royal Challengers Bengaluru navigates a demanding schedule, Virat Kohli’s antics act as a "pressure valve" that lets the squad release tension before the next big match.
Team psychologists often speak about the importance of shared laughter in high‑performance environments. A quick laugh can lower cortisol levels, increase dopamine, and create a sense of belonging. In the case of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru camp, the shared amusement over Virat Kohli’s snake‑style moves likely helped the players stay relaxed, focused, and ready for the next challenge.
Even the support staff seemed to enjoy the break. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru physio posted a short video on Instagram Stories, showing the whole team doing a quick 10‑second stretch, followed by a synchronized attempt at the Naagin. The clip ended with the entire group collapsing in giggles, a testament to the light‑hearted atmosphere Virat Kohli helped create.
Deeper cultural roots – why the Naagin resonates with Indian fans
The snake, or "naagin", has a special place in Indian folklore, cinema, and music. From classic Bollywood songs like "Naagin Ke Jaisa Koi Nahi" to the myriad television serials that feature shape‑shifting serpents, the motif is instantly recognisable. When Virat Kohli adopts the Naagin move, it taps into that collective cultural memory, turning a cricket celebration into a pop‑culture moment.
Moreover, the move is a subtle nod to the rivalry between sub‑continental teams. The original gesture, first seen in the 2024 Chepauk test, was a cheeky reference to Bangladesh’s own iconic celebration. By bringing it back during an IPL practice session, Virat Kohli subtly reminds both teammates and opponents that the psychological battle continues beyond the boundary rope.
Fans in railway stations across the country were seen mimicking the snake sway while waiting for their trains, a sight that made local news channels replay the video multiple times. Vendors at street stalls started offering "Naagin" shaped samosas, capitalising on the viral trend and proving how quickly cricket moments seep into everyday life.
Connecting the dots – from cricket to global headlines
While the cricket world was busy sharing laughs, other headlines continued to dominate the news cycle. In the same article, brief references were made to ongoing geopolitical developments, such as Israel Iran War News and Iran US Ceasefire updates. Although unrelated to the sport, the inclusion of these headlines reflects how multifaceted today’s news consumption has become – a cricket fan scrolling through social media may stumble upon a meme about Virat Kohli’s Naagin and, in the next swipe, read about an international ceasefire.
This juxtaposition underlines the reality that the modern reader juggles sports, politics, entertainment, and personal updates all at once. For the Royal Challengers Bengaluru supporters, the Naagin video offers a brief, joyous escape before they turn their attention back to the weightier matters dominating the front pages.
What the future might hold – will the Naagin become a regular RCB ritual?
Given the positive response, many wonder if the Naagin could become a regular ritual for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Some fans suggest that after every big win, Virat Kohli could lead a quick snake‑style celebration on the field, turning it into a signature move much like MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot.
Team strategists, however, are cautious. While the move adds a fun element, they also worry about potential distractions during crucial match moments. Still, the balance between competitiveness and camaraderie is something Royal Challengers Bengaluru has always tried to maintain, and the Naagin could fit neatly into that philosophy.
Only time will tell whether Virat Kohli will keep the dance alive beyond the IPL 2026 campaign or retire it as a one‑off memory. For now, the moment serves as a reminder that even the most serious of athletes need a little space to be playful, and that such moments can ripple across the nation, bringing smiles to millions.
