Ravi Shastri won’t mind seeing Virat Kohli exchanging words with James Anderson: Nasser Hussain

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain said that Ravi Shastri won’t mind seeing Team India skipper Virat Kohli exchange verbal volleys with James Anderson. In the Lord’s Test, Kohli and Anderson had their heated moments in a sequence of events that started with Jasprit Bumrah’s bouncers at the English fast bowling legend in the first innings.

Hussain reckoned that Shastri lets Virat express himself and take charge in certain situations. However, the veteran also mentioned that Virat’s conduct on the field of play keeps the umpires on their toes.

What Kohli in particular represents is modern-day India: Nasser Hussain

“Ravi Shastri, as a coach, will just let Kohli go. He won’t mind seeing him exchanging words with Anderson or signalling from the balcony to try to get the players off for bad light. It is the captain who is very much in charge,” Hussain was quoted as saying in his column for the Daily Mail.

“What Kohli in particular represents is modern-day India, the one that won’t be pushed around. Even though umpires might like to remind him occasionally that he doesn’t run the game,” he stated.

During England’s run-chase on Day five, Kohli also had a go at Ollie Robinson after the latter came out to bat in a quest to save the game for his team. India won the second Test by 151 runs to take a crucial 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Even as Hussain talked about Kohli’s role and approach, he also said that Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane’s contributions can’t be undermined by any means. Hussain also had words of appreciation for Rohit for his go-getter attitude.

“More significant, perhaps, are the senior players Kohli has beside him. Rohit Sharma was right there when he was complaining about the light, and both he and Rahane are integral to the tactics of India. Rohit might come across as a calm, slow heartbeat sort of guy but he is very driven to succeed too,” Hussain said.

The third Test is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, August 25 at Headingley in Leeds. It’s up to Joe Root and Co. to redeem themselves and make a comeback after the humiliating loss at the Home of Cricket.