Virat Kohli wicket today: Ben Stokes castles Kohli with a near-unplayable delivery in Chennai Test

Ben Stokes castles Kohli: The English vice-captain justified his introduction into the attack by sending back the Indian captain.

During the fifth day of the first Test of the ongoing England’s tour of India in Chennai, England vice-captain Ben Stokes justified his introduction into the attack by sending back India captain Virat Kohli.

It all happened on the third delivery of the 55th over when Kohli missed a near-unplayable delivery off Stokes to get out bowled. Bowling from wide of the crease, Stokes’ delivery raised a puff of dust before doing underneath Kohli’s bat.

Given the condition of a fifth-day pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the ball received a lot of assistance to bounce quite low and deceived the right-hand batsman.

Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 20th over, Kohli departed after scoring his 24th Test half-century. Having scored 72 (104) with the help of nine fours, Kohli top-scored for the hosts in what was otherwise a disappointing batting effort.

Stokes, who hadn’t been handed the ball until the 49th over, picked the biggest wicket of Kohli to ensure that he doesn’t become a barrier between England and victory today.

On the back of England spinner Jack Leach picking bowling figures of 26-4-76-4, the visitors bundled out India for 192 in 58.1 overs in a 420-run chase to register a 227-run victory. Apart from Leach, veteran pacer James Anderson also bowled exceedingly well to pick figures of 11-4-17-3.

Ben Stokes castles Kohli

How Twitterati reacted:

Anderson still can’t get Kohli out. SAD! #INDvENG

— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) February 9, 2021

Ben Stokes. #INDvENG

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 9, 2021

That is the best I have seen Virat Kohli bat in a Test. It took a grubber to get him.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) February 9, 2021

One of the great Test Match wins for @englandcricket in India!! From winning the Toss they completely bossed the game. Big 1st innings runs, tactics spot on & top class bowling from the @jimmy9 and spinners!! Near perfect & a dream start to the series for England!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) February 9, 2021

To hammer India in India is an incredible performance … 227 run victory … This team are onto something potentially very special this year … #INDvENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 9, 2021

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About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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