Virat Kohli plays peacemaker as Brar’s animated send-off draws umpire’s attention

Virat Kohli steps in! India batter pulled Gurnoor Brar away after animated Seifert send-off. | Photo Credit: CREIMAS

Virat Kohli quickly stepped in to pull Arshdeep Singh Brar away from Tim Seifert after the New Zealand batter’s dismissal threatened to spark a confrontation during the fourth ODI match against India in Mount Maunganui on Friday.

Brar was visibly charged up after dismissing Seifert with a sharp 144kph short delivery. Cramped for room while attempting a pull, Seifert could only manage a top edge that lobbed towards the leg side. Ishan Kishan, running backwards and to his left, completed an excellent catch to give India a crucial breakthrough.

Brar wheeled around and moved towards Seifert, letting out an emphatic ‘Come on!’ as he celebrated the wicket. With the pacer getting close to the batter, Kohli was quick to intervene, pulling Brar away before the exchange could escalate.

Umpire Chris Brown also had a word with the Indian pacer, seemingly cautioning him against taking the celebration too far.

While there was no clear indication of an exchange of words between the two players, Brar’s animated send-off briefly brought an edge to the contest. India, meanwhile, had its breakthrough, thanks in no small measure to Kishan’s sharp work behind the stumps.