Kohli-wade ‘clash’ rekindles sledging

He may have been struggling with his own game and the tough conditions in India, but there was no stopping Matthew Wade in launching a scathing attack on the Indian captain Virat Kohli, during Thursday’s second ODI between India and Australia at Kolkata. Earlier this year, the Border-gavaskar Trophy was marred by several incidences on and off the field, and on Thursday, Wade’s verbal barrage against Kohli sparked the tensions once again. Wade tore into the India captain when in the 33rd over, he was hit on the hand while collecting a delivery from Marcus Stoinis and failed to return the ball. Perfectly within the laws of the game, the Indians smartly took a single (as byes) initiated by Kohli.

The wicketkeeper, who was writhing in pain for a while, sledged Kohli for taking the run. Wade was heard on the stump mic, “I might have a cry like you. I might go to the dressing rooms and have a good cry like you.”

“Everyone has to feel sorry for you,” he added as he walked past Kohli during the change of overs, reported Wide World of Sports.

Kohli, who is known for never missing out on giving it back, was also seen replying to Wade. But since Kohli and his partner Kedar Jadhav were standing in the middle of the wicket, his words could not be heard.

However, Stoinis stood behind his wicketkeeper and also went on to have a few words with Kohli.

Former fast bowler Stuart Clark was unimpressed with Australia’s reaction, as he felt the Indians had taken one run and the entire episode was just a distraction, Clark told Sky Sports Radio, “He misfielded one. Whether the Indian batsman knew he was injured or not was probably a secondary question.”