Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes involved in a verbal spat in the first session
The on-going India-England series has taken the internet by storm, thanks to the unending discussions on the pitches that have been used. After blowing hot in the first Test in Chennai, the visitors started blowing cold in the next two Tests, which they lost by 317 runs and 10 wickets respectively. From being 1-0 up in the series to being 1-2 down, there was seldom any doubt that England would come back strong.
With India going into the fourth Test with one eye on the World Test Championship and England going into the final Test with the aim to level the series, it was very much expected that the emotions would flow thick and fast on the ground.
Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes, both of them, who are usually known to wear their heart on their sleeve, were involved in an animated verbal duel in the first session of the fourth Test that started on Thursday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. England was struggling at 30-3 when Stokes came in to bat in the 13th over. Just after a few deliveries, it was seen that the India captain walked up to the English all-rounder to say something. The verbal exchanges between the duo are however not known.
On one hand, it was seen that Kohli was not happy with something, while on the other hand, Stokes appeared to give some clarification. At one point in time, Kohli even took off his glasses, while talking to Stokes. Before things could go out of control, umpire Virender Sharma intervened and separated the two. Though things between Kohli and Stokes were put to rest, in the 15th over, speedster Mohammed Siraj had a few words to say to the southpaw after he was smacked for a boundary.
Indian bowlers outsmart English batsmen yet again
Early in the day, England won the toss and opted to bat. The opening pair of Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley started off cautiously against the new ball when India’s pace battery was getting the ball to move both ways. However, in the sixth over of the innings, Kohli brought in Axar Patel, who has had a dream start to his Test career, and sent Sibley packing.
In his second over, the left-arm spinner got the better of Crawley. Siraj was brought back into the attack and the 26-year-old pulled out a peach of a delivery from his repertoire to see the back of Joe Root. Bairstow and Stokes looked to consolidate the innings, however, Siraj and Washington Sundar put an end to their resolve.
At the time of compiling this report, England was on 166 for 5 with Ollie Pope and Daniel Lawrence fighting tooth and nail.
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