Watch- Virat Kohli Slams Umpire Aleem Dar As The Latter Stops Play In A Strange Manner

Senior Indian batter Virat Kohli reacted to onfield umpire Aleem Dar’s decision to stop the play on the second day of the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test between England and India at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

After India posted a commendable 416 in the first innings thanks to centuries from Rishabh Pant (146) and Ravindra Jadeja (104) and some brisk hitting from stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah (31 not out) to put the visitors in a powerful position.

India dominate on the second day against England in the fifth Test

Bumrah smoked fire with the ball as he removed England opener Alex Lees at the end of the third over. Bumrah bowled a no-ball to Zak Crawley that resulted in a single but the third umpire informed the onfield umpires about the illegal delivery. However, the call turned out to be a blessing in disguise for India as Bumrah cleaned up the southpaw.

Watch: Virat Kohli miffed with umpire Aleem Dar for interrupting play in the middle

As Indian pacer Mohammed Shami bowled the first ball of the fourth over, Crawley moved aside from the batting position but by that time Shami had already released the delivery from his hands. Crawley signalled umpire Aleem Dar’s call to wait by the time Shami was near the crease to launch the ball.

Dar had received the message to call off the play as there were dark clouds on the head and rain showers once again interrupted the play. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who was fielding in the slip cordon, was irked with the umpire’s interruption at the last moment and chirped in Hindi: ‘Ball ke beech mein kaise bol sakta hai? (How can he say in the middle of a delivery?)’. 

Just before the players were about to leave the field, Kohli walked to the umpire and was seen having a brief conversation with the Pakistan official. The former Indian skipper looked slightly annoyed during the chats.

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The play resumed after an hour and India sent back Ollie Pope with Bumrah bowling another no-ball on the final delivery of the over. India reduced England to 84 for five at the close of the second day despite multiple interruptions by poor weather conditions in Birmingham.

Also Read: Watch: Centurion Ravindra Jadeja Gets Cleaned Up By James Anderson On Day 2 Of The Edgbaston Test