"Ben Stokes Gave Me Gali, Virat Bhai Handled It Thereafter"- Mohammed Siraj Reveals The Reason Behind Virat Kohli-Ben Stokes Verbal Altercation

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has revealed that England all-rounder Ben Stokes had abused him after he had dished out a bouncer to him during the morning session of the fourth Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes got involved in a heated altercation during the first session of the 4th Test. It all happened when Ben Stokes said a few words to Mohammed Siraj after the latter had bowled him a bouncer during the 13th over of England’s first innings.

Siraj did not respond back to Stokes but Virat Kohli proceeded to take matters into his own hands as he got stuck into the English all-rounder, who was involved in a conversation with his partner Jonny Bairstow between overs.

Eventually, the on-field umpires had to intervene, ensuring that the altercation did not escalate. Mohammed Siraj was asked about the same during an interview with the host broadcaster Star Sports at the end of 1st day’s play.

The Hyderabad pacer revealed that Ben Stokes had abused him after he had dished out a bouncer. Siraj added that he informed his captain Virat Kohli about the same post which the latter decided to take matters into his own hands.

“Ben Stokes gave me gali [Ben Stokes abused me] so I told Virat bhai about that. Virat bhai handled it thereafter.” Mohammed Siraj said.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj had a brilliant outing on the first day of the 4th Test. While the duo of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin once again dominated the proceedings, Siraj also made his presence felt as he claimed two crucial scalps in the form of England skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

Siraj’s first victim was Joe Root, who was undone by a brilliant set-up by the fast bowler as he bowled a series of outswingers before getting one to jag back in to trap the English captain plumb in front of the wicket.

Siraj struck again in the post-Lunch session as he broke a dangerous-looking partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes by pinning the latter LBW courtesy yet another nip-backer. The Hyderabad pacer talked about the plans that reaped him rewards on the first day during the interview.

“The wicket is good to bat on. The plan was to be patient and wait for the ball that might come in. Virat told me, since we only had two quicks, rotation was important. After bowling two overs, Virat asked me change my ends, since I was getting more movement there.” said Mohammed Siraj.

Ben Stokes, meanwhile, also had a brilliant outing with the bat on the first day as he racked up his second half-century of the series before being trapped in front of wicket courtesy of a straighter-one by Washington Sundar.

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