Despite a drought of runs, there’s been little perceptible change in the way Virat Kohli approaches every game. The lean patch has had no effect on his personality, as Kohli has repeatedly shown with his demeanor on the field. Once he was stripped of the captaincy, many felt the outspoken, in-your-face Kohli will now become a thing of the past. But he continues to wear his heart on his sleeves, often provoking opponents with his words and action.
Read More: Five Iconic Test Knocks By Virat Kohli That Will Stand The Test Of Time
The more you tease your opponents, the more likely you are to become the butt of all jokes. This has happened with Kohli on quite a few instances, when the player he sledged went on to score a century or win the game for his side.
Let’s take a look at five occasions when Virat Kohli’s words backfired upon him.
Bairstow Hitting Century In Edgbaston
On Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test, Jonny Bairstow, new to the crease, struggled to make sense of the fiery spell from Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. Having survived a loud lbw scare, Bairstow was walking on the tightrope, playing and missing everything delivered around the off-stump mark. He had scrapped to 13 after playing 61 deliveries. This is when Kohli decided to engage himself, yapping at the English batter. Bairstow again missed an angled-in delivery and Kohli burst into laughter. But the never lost his cool, giving a befitting reply to Kohli with his brilliant century.
Dean Elgar Shutting Down Kohli With Bat
“Chirping for 13 years Dean Elgar, you think you can keep me quiet?” said Virat Kohli to the South Africa captain Dean Elgar, when he was leading the fight for a series win at Newlands. After Elgar survived an lbw call, thanks to the DRS, all hell broke loose for the Indian team, led by captain Kohli, who bent down to the stumps just to make his criticism heard by the rest of the world. Elgar played an obdurate knock, paving way for a 2-1 series win. This also turned out to be Kohli’s last game as a captain.
Kohli Remonstrating Smith In Adelaide
Virat Kohli was fined 30% of his match fee, after he stopped the proceeding just to remonstrate Steven Smith’s lbw dismissal which was overturned by an umpire. Kohli walked up to the pitch and was heard offering a mouthful to Smith. Kohli scored centuries in both innings but India lost the game by 48 runs, and the series by 2-0.
Kohli Sledging Suryakumar Yadav In IPL
During the 38th match of the Indian Premier League 2020, Suryakumar found himself on the receiving end of Kohli’s outspoken persona. In a low-scoring match, the only thing standing between Kohli’s side and victory was Suryakumar. And Kohli thought it was a good idea to get into Suryakumar’s mind. But the MI batter kept his composure and finished the game for his side. Kohli yet again became the butt of all jokes.
Manish Pandey Responds To Kohli With A Six
During the IPL 2020 Eliminator, Virat Kohli was heard taunting Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Manish Pandey for his slow starts. Pandey responded with a well-drilled six on the last ball, and went on to play a crucial knock that ended RCB’s journey in the tournament.
Featured Image: BCCI
