Indian cricketing icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were honored in a distinctly unconventional ceremony by the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) during the first One Day International (ODI) match between India and New Zealand. The event, held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, quickly captured widespread attention and amusement across social media platforms. The felicitation, described by many as 'out of the box,' saw Kohli and Sharma making a grand entrance by emerging from a specially designed, oversized bat or a cupboard adorned with their life-sized images. This unexpected 'unboxing' style presentation, intended to mark the Kotambi Stadium's inaugural men's ODI match, delighted the thousands of fans present and instantly became a viral sensation online. The senior Indian duo, known for their immense contributions to ODI cricket, were visibly amused by the unique nature of the ceremony, laughing as they stepped out to accept flower bouquets. In attendance were prominent figures including ICC Chairman Jay Shah and other BCCI officials, who joined the BCA president, Pranav Amin, in honoring the players. This light-hearted and memorable moment resonated strongly with the audience, fulfilling the headline's claim that it had social media 'in splits' due to its novelty and the players' good-humored reaction. The event underscored the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the landmark match in Vadodara.