Long-time arch-rivals James Anderson and Virat Kohli were engaged in a war of words early on the fourth day of the second Test at Lord’s. Anderson was trying all his tricks to get the better of India skipper while Kohli was not liking the “swearing” Anderson had to offer him.
The incident happened in the 17th over of India’s second innings when Kohli took on a verbal battle with the leader of England’s bowling attack. Kohli was heard saying “this is not your backyard” along with swearing words to Anderson on the stump mic. He also reminded Anderson of his age in the middle of that verbal duel.
“You're swearing at me again, are you? This isn’t your fu**ing backyard," said Kohli to initiate the duel. Later he followed that up with “chirp chirp chirp. This is what old age makes you,” remark at Anderson.
Notably, Anderson had some words to say to Jasprit Bumrah at the end of the third day's play after he was peppered by short bowling by Bumrah, and Kohli might have come at Anderson recalling that moment.
Anderson’s bowling partner Stuart Broad, who has been ruled out of the series after the first Test at Trent Bridge did not like the ‘backyard’ remark from Kohli and reminded the world of Anderson’s phenomenal record at Lord’s to make a point that the venue was as close as possible to being a ‘backyard’ for the most successful pace bowler in Test cricket.
Anderson picked the 31st five-wicket haul of his career and seventh at Lord’s in the first innings of the ongoing Test match.