Tamim Iqbal, Ravi Shastri ignite Virat Kohli-Mushfiqur Rahim rivalry during Chennai Test

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal tried to ignite the past rivalry between Virat Kohli and Mushfiqur Rahim in the ongoing first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Tensions ran high in Chennai, as Virat Kohli and Mushfiqur Rahim were forced to share more than a playing field, with the duo dismissing early in their respective innings in the ongoing first Test between India and Bangladesh.

The dashing right-hander, on Day 1, was sent back to the pavilion for a mere 6 runs when he edged Hasan Mahmud's quite sharp delivery at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

On Day 2, Mushfiqur Rahim departed in almost similar fashion when Jasprit Bumrah's delivery edged the Bangladesh star straight to KL Rahul at the second slip. He faced only 14 balls for just 8 runs against India.

Tamim Iqbal and Ravi Shastri tease past sledging rivalry between Virat Kohli and Mushfiqur Rahim in Chennai Test

Virat Kohli and Mushfiqur Rahim’s low scores seemed a lot like a reflection of their bad luck, but it was not just the dismissals that drew attention from the commentators, including Harsha Bhogle.

While the former Indian captain stood in the slip cordon, many were expecting a verbal exchange between Virat Kohli and Mushfiqur Rahim, who have a history of sledging each other in the past, but they stunned one and all by being busy with their own duties in the ongoing Chennai Test.

The commentators couldn't help but expect a verbal exchange, with Iqbal jesting that there may be more than just cricket going about between the two star players from India and Bangladesh.

Well, Virat Kohli never refrains from using his sharp tongue and games of the mind to get inside opponents' skin, so Tamim was expecting some fireworks from him at Mushfiqur Rahim.

The possibility of some good old-fashioned sledging was on the cards, especially when Kohli was fielding at the slip cordon with Mushfiqur being on the crease on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test between the two teams in Chennai.

Well, the commentary box added masala to the situation when Shastri, Tamim, and Bhogle batted around the supposed "history" between Kohli and Mushfiqur. They tried to hype the past history between the two players, but they left one and all disappointed by doing their own business.

Here’s how the conversation unfolded between the commentators:

Tamim Iqbal: Mushfiqur Rahim is batting; Virat Kohli is in the slips. Watch out now. Keep an eye on them. They have quite the history.

Ravi Shastri: What history?

Tamim Iqbal: Oh, you know, Ravi. You know what history I am talking about.

Harsha Bhogle: Ah, well left, Tamim. I guess Mushfiqur has a bit of history with everyone.

Notably, Mushfiqur has had several moments with India over the years. One of the most memorable incidents occurred during the 2016 World T20, where he prematurely celebrated with two runs needed off the last two balls, only for Bangladesh to lose the match in a dramatic finish.

His fiery celebrations against India have also often caught attention. Even during the ODI World Cup 2023, Mushfiqur claimed that Kohli frequently engages in sledging, targeting not only him but also his teammates, adding spice to the on-field battles between the two teams.