Graeme Swann slams 'childish' Virat Kohli after Ben Stokes spat in fourth Test

Graeme Swann called Virat Kohli ‘childish’ after the India captain clashed with Ben Stokes on the first day of the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad.

One of the umpires had to intervene after Kohli and Stokes shared words in the middle, with England struggling on 37-3 after winning the toss.

Swann insinuated that Kohli was to blame for the spat after ‘butting in’ to Stokes’ conversation with England team-mate Jonny Bairstow.

India took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series last week but still need to avoid defeat in the series finale to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

‘A little conflab in the middle between Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli, not sure what it’s about, it seems very friendly,’ former England spinner Swann said on Channel 4 before the duo got up close and personal.

‘Maybe it’s not quite so friendly. The umpire’s stepping in. I want a clean fight lads, nothing below the belt, when the bell goes you go back to your corners.

‘It’s not really up to the fielders to butt into the batsmen’s conversations when they’re out in the middle.

‘Just let them get on with it, and you get on with your own game. It all seemed a bit childish to me.’

Commenting on the incident, India legend Sunil Gavaskar added: ‘That works in the fielding side’s favour because the batsman’s concentration is gone.

‘At this particular point in time, nothing will happen to Virat Kohli for the simple reason he’s fielding.

‘But as a batsman, if you’ve lost concentration, it sort of lingers in your mind as you’re facing up to the next ball and you’re not fully concentrating, not fully focused on the ball.’

More to follow…

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