‘This is not white-ball cricket’ – Virat Kohli sledges Jos Buttler, drops him next over
The ongoing second Test match between England and India at Lord’s has taken a drastic turn. Be it in terms of match context or heat on the field, things have escalated quickly.
Ever since that hostile over from Jasprit Bumrah to James Anderson towards the end of the third day, there has been constant chatter on the field between the two sides. As always, Virat Kohli has been the centre of it. He is not someone who will quietly take things and go by his business. Be it for himself or his teammates, the Indian captain will make it a point to give it back.
He was engaged in a verbal battle with Anderson on the fourth morning of this game. He didn’t like the fact that the veteran England fast bowler constantly chirped away. The England players didn’t step back either. On day five, they were constantly going at Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah when the Indian pace-bowling duo were batting in the middle. The bowlers, in particular, were chattering along between deliveries and overs.
Hence, there was absolutely no doubt that Kohli will chirp away when India have their chance with the ball. And the Indian captain stayed true to his character and was constantly at the England batters’ face. He didn’t shy away from letting them know that things are not going to be easy in the middle.
When Jos Buttler came out to bat, he had some special choice of words for the England wicket-keeper batsman. Buttler has struggled to get going in this series. He got scores of 0 & 17 before scoring just 23 in the first innings of this Test. Hence, Kohli wasted no time in reminding him about the difference between red-ball and white-ball cricket. When Buttler was taking guard, Kohli was quoted saying on the stump mic, “Don’t worry about it, this is not white-ball cricket”.
Kohli to Buttler taking guard — "Don't worry about it, this is not white ball cricket"
This series is heating up!
— Aman (@AmanHasNoName_2) August 16, 2021
However, Kohli went on to drop Buttler’s catch at first slip in the very next over. Bumrah got one to nip away a touch and Buttler tried to cut the ball but only ended up edging it. The edge flew fast and high towards Kohli at first slip but the Indian captain shelled the chance.
Kohli to Buttler "Don't worry about it. Not white-ball cricket."
Later dropped him in slips— Ali Shan Momin
(@alishanmomin23) August 16, 2021