Virat Kohli praises Shakib Al Hasan’s exceptional bowling skills, likening him to Lasith Malinga. Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli was left in awe by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan‘s exceptional bowling skills during the first Test match in Chennai. Shakib’s precision in landing consecutive yorkers left Kohli drawing comparisons to legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga.
The Incident
On the second day of the Test match, the talented bowler Shakib delivered two impeccable yorkers to Kohli in the 15th over, and one of them nearly led to a return catch. This remarkable display of skill was not a one-time occurrence, as Shakib had already executed a yorker earlier in the innings. Kohli’s amazement was visible as he commended Shakib on the stump microphone.
Kohli’s Words of Praise
“You are my Mali,” Kohli said, referring to Malinga. When Shakib didn’t grasp the reference, Kohli clarified, “Malinga bana hua, yorker pe yorker” (You’re delivering yorkers like Malinga). Shakib took the compliment in stride, sharing a hearty laugh with Kohli.
Kohli’s Dismissal
Kohli’s initial appreciation of Shakib’s bowling prowess was abruptly cut short when he fell victim to Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s crafty spin delivery. Caught off guard, Kohli misread the seemingly harmless off-spin delivery, resulting in the ball striking his pads and prompting umpire Richard Kettleborough to signal him out. Despite exchanging a few words with his partner, Shubman Gill, Kohli chose not to challenge the umpire’s decision through a review.
Replays Reveal a Shocking Twist
Replays showed significant ultra-edge contact, indicating that Kohli would have survived if he had opted for the DRS. This dismissal marked Kohli’s second failure in the match, having been bowled out for six by Hasan Mahmud in the first innings.
India Maintains Control
Despite Kohli’s quiet outing, India dominated the match, ending Day 2 with a commanding lead of 308 runs. India’s second innings stood at 81/3, with Shakib’s impressive bowling being a rare bright spot for Bangladesh.
Virat Kohli praises Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling skills, Malinga comparison | India vs Bangladesh Test
