Virat Kohli 2.0 is recognized for his calm and serene demeanor as a cricketer. But, until a few years ago, he was cricket’s version of the furious young guy, ready to engage in a verbal brawl on the field.
On Day 3 of the rescheduled Test in Birmingham in 2022, the former India captain sledged England batter Jonny Bairstow in a particularly harsh manner. England were on the back foot in the game after India dominated the first two days, leaving the hosts down by nearly 300 runs.
During the opening session of play on Day 3, Virat Kohli attempted to sledge Bairstow. The Indian fielder approached the England batsman and was captured instructing him over the stump mic:
“Shut up, just stand and bat.”
That is not all. Virat Kohli was even spotted making a finger-on-the-lip motion at Bairstow and pointing fingers at him in an impolite manner.
The England hitter was upset by the loudness, and the on-field umpires had to step in to settle things down. On Day 2, the star Indian cricketer again attempted to insult Bairstow by invoking the name of New Zealand spinner Tim Southee.
Virat Kohli’s verbal volleys, however, backfired as Bairstow opened up with the bat following the dispute and hammered 106 off 140 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes. England concluded on 284, thanks to his counter-attacking century, compared to India’s 416 in the first innings.
England’s bowlers subsequently performed a superb job, limiting India to 245 in their second innings, with only Cheteshwar Pujara (66) and Rishabh Pant (57) scoring half century. Ben Stokes led the way for the hosts, scoring 4/33.
England had a tough task, needing 378 to secure the Test match victory. They achieved it in a striking way with standout hundreds from Bairstow (scoring 114* off 145 balls) and Joe Root (142* off 173 balls). This spectacular pair put up 269 together for the fourth wicket, no one could break them. England cruised past the line, wrapping up the game with a seven-wicket triumph.
Virat Kohli could miss the last three Tests against England: Reports
Virat Kohli didn’t play in the first two Test games of the current home series with England, giving personal reasons. There’s chatter that he may also miss the next three Test games.
According to ESPNcricinfo the player, aged 35, might not compete in the third and fourth Tests, held in Rajkot and Ranchi. His presence in the series’ last Test in Dharmasala, starting on March 7, is unclear too.