Faulkner misses run-out, Virat Kohli asks why are you ‘fast asleep’

Sydney;Australia’s James Faulkner shows his frustration at a near miss against India’s Virat Kohli during their One Day cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Reuters photo

The Canberra ODI saw the second part of the now famous Virat Kohli-James Faulkner good humoured banter bordering a sledge with the Indian superstar trying to upset the Australian all-rounder during another of his superlative innings.

During the Melbourne match, when Faulkner tried to instigate Kohli, the Indian batsman’s classic retort was “I have smashed you enough in my life. Go and bowl.”

In Canberra, Kohli started from where he left at MCG belting the left-armer for 29 runs off 16 deliveries that included four boundaries.

But according to Australian newspaper ‘Perth Now’, when Faulkner missed a chance to run Kohli out, the Indian vice-captain did not miss an opportunity to ask the Aussie as to why was he “fast asleep”.

Two days back, Kohli while interacting with fans on Indian team’s Facebook page said:”The opposition has every right to use that as long as it doesn’t cross the line. And you have every right to reply as long as it doesn’t cross the line again.

“I think there have been a lot of smart comments over the years and mine turned out to be a perfectly timed one. I didn’t intend to do that, I just said what came to mind, which was actually not far off from the truth. That banter is enjoyable on the field but at the same time you need to focus on your game. That was a fun moment, I guess.”

PTI