‘It’s not easily forgotten’ – Former Indian cricketer on Virat Kohli’s outburst on Day 3 against Bangladesh

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar reacted to Virat Kohli’s heated altercation with the Bangladesh cricketers following their wild celebration post his dismissal late on Day 3 in the second Test in Mirpur. In the 20th over of India’s second innings, Kohli was dismissed while attempting to play a forward defence off Mehidy Hasan Miraz. After a shaky 22-ball 1-run inning, Mominul Haque made a brilliant low catch to remove the former India captain from the game.

Miraz ran towards his teammates while shouting at the top of his lungs. Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh, Mushfiquir Rahim, the senior batter, and pretty much all of the Bangladesh players began jubilating crazily.

At that same moment, Kohli heard something untoward coming his way. The star right-handed batter did not let it go. He took it to the Bangladesh players, specifically Taijul Islam, to give a piece of his mind. He was eventually stopped by the umpires.

I wasn’t there but I read about it: Sunil Gavaskar

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh skipper, stepped across, and Virat Kohli addressed him while pointing at the huddle. Only after the umpires entered the room did Kohli turn around.

“Somebody might have said something. I was on-air, I’m sure. I didn’t see anything. Sunny bhai was asking who said what. I’m not really sure what exactly happened. The celebrations started and they were quite away from Kohli. But he was not happy at all,” said former Bangladesh cricketer Athar Ali Khan in the post-match show on Sony Sports Network.

Gavaskar had a completely different perspective. The first Test in Chattogram, where Kohli and Mohammed Siraj imitated Litton Das after getting him out, the former India skipper claimed, was the inspiration for Saturday’s incident.

“In the first Test, something happened when Litton Das put his hand to his ear and said something to Siraj. He got two balls later. I wasn’t there but I read about it. Kohli and Siraj also tucked their hands behind their ears to mimic Siraj.

“These things happen. Litton Das is one of Bangladesh’s foremost batters so India were delighted with his wicket. Now you know Virat Kohli is the best batter in the world. So getting his wicket and the fact that he had done the thing in the first Test, it’s not easily forgotten,” Gavaskar said.