'Let's see what you're made of': David Lloyd’s message to Virat Kohli after Jonny Bairstow sledging saga

Former England cricketer David Lloyd has stated that he was impressed with the sporting behaviour of the Indian players towards Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow after their swashbuckling seven-wicket victory at Edgbaston on Tuesday. 

After England thrashed India to end the series 2-2, visuals of Virat Kohli shaking hands and patting Jonny Bairstow on the back went viral. The heated exchange between the two players had become a major talking point during the Birmingham Test.

On Day 3 of the Test match, Kohli was even seen delivering a flying kiss and waving goodbye to the batter after he was dismissed. While several former cricketers were against this act of Kohli, the British media slammed the former India captain. However, both players moved on from the episode after the game, and Lloyd showed his appreciation for Kohli.

"I thought the on-field scenes at the conclusion of the game were glorious, with India's players warmly congratulating Root and Jonny Bairstow and recognising the epic job they had done. Special mention for Virat Kohli, who is the proudest and most combative India cricketer, and at times plays the pantomime villain, but who had a special word to both players. I like that," Lloyd wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.

However, looking at Virat Kohli's theatrics, Lloyd couldn't help but share his views on what would have happened if there had been a physical altercation between the two players. Of course, cricket is a gentleman's game and has no room for physical violence, but Lloyd stated that if there is a need to provoke the opposition, players should deal with it the old-fashioned way.

"Having said that about Kohli, I do sometimes wonder where the line is and who draws it. Sportsmanship, banter, gamesmanship, boorish behaviour, insults, abuse - we saw everything on the fourth day. Of course, cricket is a non-contact sport and the trader is safe in the knowledge that he or she can't get hurt. But if a player feels the need to engage another, my advice is to take up cage fighting and have a proper go. Let's see what you're really made of," he concluded.