Mohali war of words: Sunil Gavaskar slams Virat Kohli for unwarranted Ben Stokes sending-off

New Delhi: Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has come down heavily on India Test captain Virat Kohli for his unwarranted sending off of England batsman Ben Stokes on the first day of Mohali Test.

“Whatever was said, it really needs to be nipped in the bud... You have got the batsman out, why do you need to give him a send off?" Gavaskar said on BBC’s Test Match Special.

The incident happened during the 44th over of the England innings on Saturday when Stokes was stumped by come-back keeper Parthiv Patel off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.

Replays showed Kohli goading Stokes, and the England batsman responded with his own choices words forcing on-field umpire Marais Erasmus to intervene.

Subsequent to the incident, Stokes was reprimanded by the ICC while Kohli escaped the punishment.

"Why say anything? Just congratulate your team-mates and Parthiv Patel for a fine piece of work on his comeback.

"But why say anything to the batsman? He’s upset as it is. Then what, rub salt into the wounds? It’s the one part of cricket I do not approve of at all,” 67-year-old Gavaskar, often regarded as one of the best statesmen of the game, added.