Chennai: The ongoing Test match between India and Bangladesh at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium witnessed a heated exchange between Indian star Virat Kohli and Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Upset by Shakib’s barrage of yorkers, Kohli took a jibe, comparing him to legendary Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, adding fuel to the competitive atmosphere on the field.
The On-Field Altercation
The argument unfolded during India’s second innings when Shakib, known for his left-arm spin, surprisingly unleashed a series of yorkers at Kohli. This tactic did not sit well with the Indian batsman, who, after the over ended, couldn’t resist taking a dig at Shakib. Kohli was caught on the stump mic saying, “Malinga is made, yorker pe yorker de raha hai,” referring to the Sri Lankan fast bowler famous for his deadly yorkers.
Shakib, visibly taken aback by the comment, responded, though his words weren’t clearly picked up on the mic, leaving viewers guessing about his retort. The exchange highlighted the tense nature of the contest, reflecting the fierce rivalry between the two cricketing stars.
Tough Test for Kohli and Shakib
Both Kohli and Shakib had a difficult outing in the Chennai Test. For Kohli, this match marked his return to the Test arena after nearly nine months, but his performance left much to be desired. In the first innings, he fell into a familiar trap, edging a delivery outside off stump and getting caught. In the second innings, he was adjudged LBW after failing to realise he had nicked the ball, walking off without opting for a review. Across both innings, Kohli managed to score just 23 runs, a disappointing tally for the former captain.
Shakib, who had impressed with the ball in previous matches, struggled in Chennai. In the first innings, he bowled only 8 overs and was heavily punished, conceding 50 runs without taking a wicket. His efforts with the bat were equally underwhelming; despite showing some resistance with Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das in Bangladesh’s first innings, Shakib could only muster 32 runs before being dismissed.
A Heated Rivalry in Chepauk
The spat between Kohli and Shakib added a layer of drama to the already intense Test match. Both players are known for their competitive spirit and are no strangers to on-field confrontations. Kohli, who is famous for responding to opponents with both his bat and his words, found his match in Shakib, whose fiery nature is equally well-documented.
As the Test progresses, all eyes will be on these two players to see how they respond to the challenges on and off the field. While Kohli and Shakib may have floundered in this game, their exchange has undoubtedly sparked interest and set the stage for more fireworks in future encounters between India and Bangladesh.