India vs England: Mohammed Siraj reveals reason behind Kohli and Stokes heated exchange on Day 1

India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday said that he was hurled slangs by England all rounder Ben Stokes during Day 1 of the fourth test at Ahmedabad.

Xtra Time Web Desk: India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday said that England all rounder Ben Stokes hurled slangs at him after he bowled a bouncer at him. The incident irked India captain Virat Kohli as he got involved in a heated exchange with the Stokes. The umpires Nitin Menon and Virender Sharma had to intervene to separate the two players before things could escalate on Day 1 of the fourth test match at Ahmedabad.

Siraj, who picked up two crucial wickets in the day, dismissing England captain Joe Root for 5 before Lunch, and then getting rid of Jonny Bairstow in the 2nd session.

Speaking after the day’s play, Siraj explained what went down. “Ben Stokes gave me gali (abused me) so I told Virat bhai about that. Virat bhai handled it thereafter,” the bowler said.

Meanwhile, speaking on his performance, Siraj revealed what he was asked to do by Kohli to keep the pressure at one end.

“Wicket is a batting wicket. Plan was to have patience. And wait for the ball that might come in. Virat was saying since we have only two quicks, rotation was important. After bowling two overs, Virat said in the morning to replace Ishant at the other end. I was getting more movement there,” Siraj said.

India finished the day at 24/1 at stumps, trailing England by 181 runs, with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle. The hosts leads the four match series by a 2-1 margin.