ENG v IND 2018: Stiff back continues to trouble Virat Kohli at Lord’s

Kohli was forced to take a break from fielding for a few overs during the third session of day 3 at Lord's on Saturday.

Virat Kohli was feeling pain in his lower back | Getty

India skipper Virat Kohli had to miss the on-field action for a few overs during the third day’s play in the second Test against England at Lord's on Saturday (August 11).

During the South Africa tour earlier this year, Kohli had missed a T20I game owing to a stiff back. And reports suggest that the Indian captain left the field in the third session on Saturday to treat his sore back. It is learned that Virat was feeling pain in his lower back and that is where he perhaps received treatment.

Although Kohli returned to the action in the 71st over with a smile on his face, it remains to be seen how complex his constant back problem is.

In order to prepare for the ongoing England Test series, Virat had signed up to play for Surrey for the month of June. However, his much-awaited county stint was scrapped after he suffered a neck sprain and was subsequently advised by BCCI’s medical team to take rest.

Apparently, Virat had picked up the neck injury during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s last league match against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2018.

Despite missing his county stint, Kohli was the lone warrior for India in the first Test at Edgbaston. He finished the match as the leading run-scorer from either side. While the Indian captain registered his maiden Test ton (149) on English soil in the first innings, he scored a flawless 51 in the second innings. Consequently, Kohli jumped past Steve Smith to clinch the no. 1 spot in ICC’s Test rankings for batsmen.

Meanwhile, England continued their domination over India in the second Test at Lord’s. After bowling out the visitors to a mere 107 on the second day, the English batsmen piled on the agony and ended up making 357/6 at stumps on Day 3.

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow put on a match-defining 189-run stand with Chris Woakes for the sixth wicket. Bairstow scored 93 runs before Hardik Pandya got rid of him while Woakes registered his maiden Test ton from 129 balls.

Woakes is still unbeaten at the crease on 120 along with the hero of the last Test, Sam Curran, as England stretched their lead to 250 runs at stumps on Day 3.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 12 Aug, 2018

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