Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently opined on Virat Kohli and Kesrick Williams' on-field antics during the recently concluded T20I series between India and West Indies.
The on-field rivalry between Indian captain Kohli and West Indies pace bowler Williams was the most entertaining thing and talking point during the three-match T20I series.
Throughout the series, the two were seen involved in heated confrontation on many occasions, though it was just limited to the field, that was a treat for the India fans, who enjoyed it most.
The Kohli vs Williams saga began at Hyderabad, where the two got into a heated argument after the bowler came on his way while scoring a single – which ended up with the dashing right-hander celebrating with Kesrick’s signature "notebook" celebrations after his unbeaten knock of 94 runs.
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The first T20I of the three-match series witnessed masterclass by Kohli, who scored 32 runs off just 12 balls bowled by Williams, including three sixes and one four off his 94* runs and then brought out the notebook celebration to revive his rivalry with the bowler.
Noteworthy, the rivalry between the two started in 2017 when Williams had given Kohli a 'notebook-style' goodbye after taking his wicket during a match in Jamaica.
However, Williams managed to bounce back in the second T20I and got his revenge from Indian skipper, as he got rid of the 30-year-old with slow and short for four runs off five deliveries. Though, the bowler this time gave a different send off to the master batsman, putting his finger to his lips and shushing to express his delight on taking his wicket in Thiruvananthapuram.
Now, its Kohli’s turn in the third and final match to show who's the boss, though, the right-hander found it a bit tough to score runs against Williams, but finally managed to remind everyone of his rivalry with the West Indian bowler in the 18th over of the match at Wankhede Stadium.
The stylish batsman hit a huge maximum off Williams’ delivery and then looked into the eyes of the bowler and expressed disbelief of his own stroke, though, his expressions with a lot of amazement added fuel to the rivalry between the two cricketers.
Meanwhile, in the series decider, Kohli played captains knock of an unbeaten 70 off just 29 balls after Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma laid the foundation for the win with their hundred-run stand to guide the hosts to a 2-1 series win in Mumbai.
Following his man of the series performance, Akhtar said Kohli “gave a shut-up call” to Williams during the recent T20I series in India. Akhtar said on his YouTube channel: “The way he was playing, he’s given a shut-up call to Williams” while adding Kohli “has to be competing with the best of the best”.
Noteworthy, Kohli will now begin his rivalry with Williams in the three-match One Day International series between the two sides starting December 15 in Chennai.
Here is Shoaib Akhtar talking about the rivalry:
