India made a great start to the fourth and final Test match against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday as bowlers Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj hit some early blows as the visitors struggled with the bat.
The Test series has thrown up some dramatic moments throughout and it was not surprising to see players engage in some friendly banter with the opposing team. However, on the first day of the fourth Test, things got heated up rather quickly.
India skipper Virat Kohli and England all-rounder Ben Stokes exchanged some heated words between them in the first session that the umpire had to intervene and break it up.
Siraj, who replaced Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth Test, had just trapped England captain Joe Root leg-before and fired in a bouncer on the last ball of the over when Stokes said something to the bowler.
However, Kohli was seen approaching Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, who was at the other end. Though it seemed like the players were laughing it off initially and moving away, Kohli continued to speak to Stokes assertively when the umpire intervened and separated the players.
Watch the clip here:
Kohli was later heard telling wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant to keep the banter on as Stokes was batting.
England won the toss and opted to bat in the final Test of the four-match series, which India is leading 2-1. India need to either win or draw the match to qualify for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand that will take place later this year.