It is always an uphill task to get the better of Virat Kohli once the Indian skipper is settled. Thus, Ben Stokes tried to get under the skin of Kohli when the batsman was batting on 69 runs.
Virat Kohli tried to play a cover off Adil Rashid but could not get his timing on the shot. However, Ben Stokes who was standing at the first slip tried to make fun of the Indian captain. Thus, Stokes tried to entice Virat Kohli into a false shot and exchanged some words with him.
As expected, the Indian captain also gave it back to England’s talisman all-rounder. However, Kohli concentrated back on his batting as he didn’t give much importance to Stokes who was trying to get Kohli into playing a false shot.
Thus, Kohli was able to show great control and discipline in his 23rd hundred. This was Kohli’s 13th century while playing away from home.
Virat Kohli looked in no fuss as he gained control of the proceedings. Kohli batted at the top of his game as he looked unperturbed. No England bowlers were able to trouble the run machine, Virat Kohli, as he batted cautiously.
In fact, Kohli gave a chance to Keaton Jennings while he was in the nervous 90s. However, the England opener was not able to catch the ball.
This was not the most fluent Kohli’s knock as he ran most of his runs. Kohli scored ten fours in his knock and scored the remaining 63 by running between the wickets as the field was spread.
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara gave good support to his skipper. The pair put together an alliance of 123 runs to help India in strengthening their grip.
Watch the video of a verbal banter between Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes.
https://twitter.com/iconicdeepak/status/1031544714036695040