Virat Kohli was seen losing his calm during the IPL 2021 Eliminator against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday. The Royal Challengers Bangalore was spotted arguing with on-field umpire Virender Sharma. 

In his aggressive body language, Virat Kohli walked up to umpire Virender Sharma to oppose his “not out” declaration for Rahul Tripathi in Yuzvendra Chahal’s first over after the powerplay. While Chahal caught Tripathi with a googly, the on-field umpire did not deter.

As it was evident that RCB players were shocked, Kohli took the review after talking it out with Chahal and wicketkeeper batsman Srikar Bharat. The DRS showed that the ball would hit the stumps with three reds and that Tripathi would have to head back. This heated up the situation as Kohli glared at Virender Sharma. 

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He smashed the ball on the ground and approached the umpire to express his disappointment. Chris Gaffaney came to intervene and urged Kohli to move on.

It did not end there. Umpire Virender Sharma apprached Virat Kohli after the 8th over to make him see his version of the event. Kohli, however, was spotted laughing as he walked away after hearing him out. 

Sunil Gavaskar later defended umpire Virender Sharma, saying he did not have to explain his decisions to Virat Kohli.

“He doesn’t have to give an explanation. He has taken a call, right or wrong, it’s his call,” Gavaskar said.

After the match, Kohli told ANI, “Their spinners dominated the game in the middle overs. They kept taking wickets there. We had a great start and probably should’ve tried to build on it. It was more about quality bowling instead of poor batting.”

“Outstanding bowling performance from us. Been the hallmark this season. But tonight that big over in the middle deflated our chances in the middle. We fought till the last. But 15 runs left out there with the bat and a couple of big overs with the ball. Narine has always been a quality bowler and tonight once again showed why he is the most consistent wicket-takers in the IPL. Not just him, Shakib, Varun, and him all three bowled amazingly together. They created pressure together for our batters to not get their big shots,” he added.