Mumbai: Bangladesh bowler Rubel Hossain came and spoke to India batsman Virat Kohli when he walked out in the middle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. No, it wasn’t a meeting of long lost companions. The story is far more intense. It could be sensed when Hossain – after dismissing the 26-year-old – jumped in celebrations and kept looking at the batsman after muttering few words.
The rivalry between these cricketers dates back to their Under-19 days.W
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When Kohli led the U-19 Indian team in 2008, Hossain represented Bangladesh in the same category. They were involved in a heated exchange during one of the group matches and things went out of control. Umpires and other players had to intervene to calm the situation.
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Since then, both have been on a one-on-one mode. Even in ICC World Cup 2011, Kohli was seen abusing Hossain in the inaugural match.
He had slammed a ton in 2011 but this time, he did not retaliate and quietly walked back.
However, Hossain – who got the better of Kohli also in Asia Cup, 2014 – must have experienced a déjà vu of sorts in the quarterfinal.
