Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes gets into banter in the first day of the 4th test match of India vs England.
Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes gets into Banter
After Mohammed Siraj bowled a bouncer to Stokes to finish the 13th over, Stokes mouthed a few words at the India quick. Although Siraj did not say much in return, Kohli decided to take matters into his hands and got up to Stokes’ face when he and Jonny Bairstow were talking in between overs.
The discussion went on between Stokes and Kohli, but just when it looked like matters may escalate, umpires Nitin Menon and Virender Sharma intervened and separated the two.
What’s going on here lads? 🇮🇳🏴#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/lThox51Pp4
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 4, 2021
Siraj, playing in place of Jasprit Bumrah, then got the big wicket of Joe Root to put England to the sword.
Graeme Swann’s view on the banter
Graeme Swann called Virat Kohli ‘childish’ after the India captain clashed with England all-rounder Ben Stokes on the first day of the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad.
One of the umpires had to intervene after the duo shared words in the middle, with England struggling on 37-3 after winning the toss.
“A little conflab in the middle between Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli, not sure what it’s about, it seems very friendly,” former England spinner Graeme Swann said on Channel 4 before the duo got up close and personal.
“Maybe it’s not quite so friendly. The umpire’s stepping in. I want a clean fight lads, nothing below the belt, when the bell goes you go back to your corners. It’s not really up to the fielders to butt into the batsmen’s conversations when they’re out in the middle. Just let them get on with it, and you get on with your own game. It all seemed a bit childish to me,” said Graeme Swann.
Sunil Gavaskar’s view on the banter
India legend Sunil Gavaskar, meanwhile, felt Virat Kohli was attempting to disrupt Ben Stokes’ focus as he engaged with the England all-rounder.
“That works in the fielding side’s favour because the batsman’s concentration is gone,” Gavaskar said.
“At this particular point in time, nothing will happen to Virat Kohli for the simple reason he’s fielding. But as a batsman, if you’ve lost concentration, it sort of lingers in your mind as you’re facing up to the next ball and you’re not fully concentrating, not fully focused on the ball.”
