ENG vs IND: Virat Kohli unimpressed as umpire stops Mohammed Shami midway through run up

Team India has dominated England so far in the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. While Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja stole the show on Day 1, skipper Jasprit Bumrah’s all-round brilliance made headlines on the subsequent day. As a result, the hosts were 84/5 at stumps on Day 2 in reply to India’s first-innings score of 416.

Although proceedings have been smooth for the visitors so far, a particular incident on the second day left Virat Kohli annoyed.  Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami was all prepared to start the fourth over of the innings. However, midway through his run up, umpire Aleem Dar signaled for the play to be stopped due to rain. As a result, England opener Zak Crawley pulled out at the very last moment and the ball was dead.

Virat Kohli continues to stand up for his players

Kohli wasn’t too pleased with the sudden decision as the stump microphone caught him saying: “Arey, ball ke beech me kaise rok sakte hain yaar (How can you stop the play in the middle of the delivery?)” Notably, Kohli was leading India when the inconclusive series got underway last year. A lot has happened since that series as the right-handed batter now doesn’t lead India in any format.

However, despite not having a designated leadership role, he continues to stand up for his players. Twitter users were quick to highlight the same as the 33-year-old earned massive praises. Meanwhile, Kohli hasn’t been among big runs lately and would like to get his mojo back soon.

He was dismissed for just 11 in India’s first innings of the ongoing game as Matty Potts disturbed his stumps.  Nevertheless, the visitors are all but likely to bat again and Kohli would have a chance to redeem himself. Meanwhile, India have tightened their grip over the Edgbaston Test and England need a herculean effort to bounce back. The likes of skipper Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow will have the onus to bring England back in the hunt.