The attack on former India captain Virat Kohli and the "shameful" cheers at the cricket ground did not go well with some of his fans and critics, who expressed their displeasure by turning to social media to criticize one of the India's most successful test captains. While English mid-range hitter Jonny Bairstow may have dismissed his angry exchanges with Kohli on Day 3 of the fifth test rescheduled at Edgbaston by saying he was integral to the game, given the fiercely competitive nature of the sport, it left several pundits unsatisfied. cricket with the gestures of the brave Indian.

As Bairstow walked away after scoring a 106 match in the first innings, cameras caught Kohli kissing him. Earlier, on a truncated second day of the test, when Bairstow got off to a slow start in good conditions for bowlers, he heard Kohli say, "A little faster than Southee, huh?"

As Kohli continued to sing from the sliding string, he attracted Bairstow's attention and thus began the exchange of words between the two. In between, Kohli was seen putting a finger to his mouth and gesturing for Bairstow to strike again, with words like "shut up, get up and hit" at 33. The referees had to come in to separate the two while England captain Ben Stokes witnessed all of this from the side of the non-striker.

English broadcaster and television personality Piers Morgan took to social media and posted an image of Kohli blowing a kiss towards Bairstow as the England batter made his way to the dressing room. “Kohli has a brass neck blowing mocking kisses at a bloke who’s scored three more Test hundreds in the past month than he has in the past 2.5 years,” tweeted Morgan.

Another critic was even more uncharitable, saying, “Few players more insufferable in test cricket than Virat Kohli. Blowing kisses at Bairstow who’s scored more centuries today than Kohli has in about three years. Focus on your own game. #ENGvsIND.”

Another cricket broadcaster Fabian Cowdrey tweeted, “No idea why #Kohli has to act the way he does. He’s a world class player, but blowing kisses to Bairstow on his way off... Seriously? #ENGvIND.”

Another fan felt Kohli`s celebrations were ‘pathetic’. “Virat Kohli’s celebration there is embarrassing and pathetic. I’d be having a word personally, don’t like it. It’s excessive and over the top for no reason #ENGvIND,” while a fan opined that the India cricketer should have been warned by the cricket bodies now.

“Kohli should have been warned by now. Running up to the batsman to celebrate in their face. A great player, but someone who you just can`t respect when he shows absolutely none to anyone else,” he said.