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What's the story?
India and Essex are currently battling it out in Chelmsford, in a three-day practice match prior to the actual Test match series against hosts England that will begin on August 1, 2018. As of right now, Essex have managed to mildly trouble the visitors, having posted 294 for 7 in 75 overs, after bowling the Indians out for 395.
Virat Kohli had scored a half-century earlier, and as he reached the landmark, Essex posted a video on Twitter informing everyone of the event. But they also posted a cheeky comment, that has not gone down too well with the Indian fans.
The details
After being 1/1, 5/2, 44/3, 134/4 and 147/5 losing Shikhar Dhawan, Chetashwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane to cheap scores, India managed to pull off a fight back through half-centuries from Virat Kohli, Lokesh Rahul, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya. Rishabh Pant then played a cameo knock at the fag end of the innings to take the Indian total to 395.
The credit of initiating the rescue efforts for India belongs to none other than Virat Kohli, who found a way to hang around for a considerable length of time even with wickets falling at the other end. He finally found an ideal partner in Lokesh Rahul as the two built up the scoreline.
Kohli eventually reached his 50 in 67 balls, and he did so, Essex Cricket took themselves to Twitter to post this:
While the action of posting the video was appreciated, the caption that followed the post raised more than a few eyebrows: "This guy's not bad at cricket..."
While it is evident that Essex did not intend to demean anyone including Virat Kohli himself, his fans have seen it in another light, as they could barely restrain from making their voices heard at the choice of caption. Here are the best of them:
Brief scores:
India 395 all out in 100.2 overs (Dinesh Karthik 82, Virat Kohli 68, Lokesh Rahul 58, Hardik Pandya 51, Paul Walter 4/113) lead by 118 runs against Essex 294 for 7 in 75 overs and still batting (Michael-Kyle Pepper 68, Tom Westley 57, Umesh Yadav 4/35).
What's next?
India are preparing to face England in the five-match Test series, that will begin with the first Test on August 1st at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The batsmen are keen to get acclimatized to the English conditions ahead of the big game.
India's most pertinent worry will however be Ravichandran Ashwin's uncertain availability as he has reportedly suffered a knock in his right hand during practice. He has bowled only one over in the practice match so far.
The fans would hope that India do not face any more injury issues before the start of the series.
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