"You are my Mali," says Virat Kohli to Shakib Al Hasan in the first India vs Bangladesh Test

The ongoing India vs Bangladesh Test in Chennai has proved to be a bowlers show through and through. Both Bangladesh and India have scripted impressive outings with the red-ball at the turn of Day 2. As India limited Bangladesh to just 149 in the first innings, it was the turn of Indian batters to take the pitch again. Subsequently, Rohit Sharma, in a dismal show, once again departed at a score of 5. Jaiswal, who hit a half-century in the first inning couldn’t match the same figures as he fell to Nahid Rana with 10 runs in his account. Then, it came the turn of Virat Kohli to enter the pitch, who following his natural inclination to keep a chirpy environment in the clash engaged in a playful banter with the opposition team member, Shakib Al Hasan.

Virat Kohli compares Shakib Al Hasan to Lasith Malinga in the first India vs Bangladesh Test

Virat Kohli found himself momentarily puzzled while facing deliveries on Day 2 against Bangladesh in Chennai. It wasn’t the bowler's identity that confused him, but rather the uncanny accuracy of the deliveries. Was it really Shakib Al Hasan or did it feel like Lasith Malinga had stepped in? Shakib and Malinga, of course, share little in common when it comes to bowling styles. Yet, Shakib’s precision in executing a couple of yorkers, a delivery Malinga was known to deliver effortlessly, made Kohli instinctively draw the comparison between the two.

The moment occurred in the 15th over of India's second innings. Shakib delivered back-to-back yorkers, with one of them almost resulting in a caught-and-bowled opportunity. This came after Shakib had already bowled an impressive yorker earlier in the innings, adding to Kohli's amazement. Picking up the stump mic, Kohli was overheard remarking on the similarity between Shakib’s precision and Malinga’s legendary yorkers during the break between the 15th and 16th overs.

"You are my Mali," Kohli told Shakib. When the former Bangladesh skipper did not understand, Kohli made it clear by saying, "Malinga bana hua, yorker pe yorker (You have been landing yorkers like Malinga). The remark left Shakib all smiles as both the opponents shared a laugh.

Virat Kohli to Shakib: Malinga bana hua, yorker pe yorker de raha hai 😭🤣pic.twitter.com/Ny1S6xUmkb

— Vahini🕊️ (@fairytaledustt_) September 20, 2024

Kohli’s innings, however, was cut short not by Shakib but by his spin-bowling partner, Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Kohli misjudged an off-spinner from Mehidy that struck him on the pads. Umpire Richard Kettleborough had no doubts and raised his finger. After a brief discussion with Shubman Gill, Kohli opted not to review the decision and walked off. What followed stunned everyone. Replays showed that Kohli had made contact with the ball, as the Ultraedge showed a significant spike when the ball passed his bat. Had Kohli chosen to use the DRS, he would have stayed at the crease.