England batter, Jonny Bairstow has responded to the questions about his spat with former India skipper Virat Kohli. For the unversed, the duo had an ugly chat after Bairstow missed an inswing delivery from Mohammed Shami. Kohli was trying to get under the skin of the opposition batter. Instead, the 2019 World Cup winner went on to hit a hundred.
The right-hander could have gotten out the very next had he edged the ball while trying to play a booming drive. However, he was lucky to miss the ball and went on to score 104 runs, including 14 fours and two sixes. Netizens have already criticized Kohli's sledging which eventually led to the Yorkshire player scoring his hundred. Meanwhile, the Englishman has said that he has been playing against the Delhi player for almost 10 years now.
The 32-year-old also said that they are competitive in nature and that sledging brings the best out of them. He added that Indian players, including Virat Kohli, are passionate to play for their nation.
"We have played against each other for a solid 10 years now. It's a bit of a craic. We are fiercely competitive on the field and that's what it is about. We're playing Test cricket and we're two competitors. It brings the best out of us, whatever it takes, you want to get your team over the line and that's part and parcel of the game," Bairstow said in the post-day press conference.
"Virat Kohli and other Indian players are very passionate about their country. There's literally nothing between me and Virat, just two very competitive people out on the field doing what they love," Bairstow added.
However, the fans are not buying into Jonny's comments. They feel that the wicketkeeper batter is only saying these things to avoid not getting an Indian T20 League contract. For the unversed, the England ODI opening batter plays for Punjab. This year, he was bought by the Mohali-based franchise where he did decently well.
Here's a look at some of the reactions from the fans:
IPL contract at stake. Even if these ppl are cured by Indians, they will not be able to say anything including. This includes English commentators…
— KP (@kp_kayp) July 4, 2022
his said because he wants to play ipl.
— Vinay Pratap (@empirevinay250) July 4, 2022
ipl ke liye bola ye
— KALPISH JAIN (@JainKalpish) July 4, 2022
Kohli fans under here thinks nothing happened 😭😂 they think bairstow will come out and say what happened in the interview 🤣
— Vignesh (@ViniciusJrERA) July 4, 2022
Jonny is great he literally forgave kohli😍
— OldMonk45🇮🇳 (@itsmonk_45) July 4, 2022
IPL ka chakkar Babu Bhaiya IPL ka chakkar 😂🤣
— Tedha Yin Yang (@Pahle_Sidha_Tha) July 4, 2022
When you realise " you have to spend 2 months in India during IPL" 😂
— Am_Rich_Nokia🇮🇳🦁 (@Am_Rich_Nokia) July 4, 2022
Jonny Bairstrow is understandable and Intersting Cricketer...
— KAPIL DEV TAMRAKAR 🚀 (@kapildevtmkr) July 4, 2022
If Virat in field.. Always 🔥
Yes even cricket players not understanding this
— Bhavadeeyudupk (@bhavadeeyudupk) July 4, 2022
Dear Jonny, dont compare yourself to Virat, you scored a century, virat struggling to score 50!!
— Smestarz (@SmestarZ) July 4, 2022