[Watch] Virat Kohli & Asitha Fernando engage in a heated verbal duel during India vs Sri Lanka third ODI

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli and Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando were involved in a heated exchange during the third ODI of the ongoing series between the two teams at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The exchange took place after the end of the fifth over.

Kohli defended a delivery from Asitha right under his helmet and it hit the middle of his bat. However, while walking towards the umpire to take his cap, the bowler had something to say to the batter. Kohli stared back at the fast bowler and the duo exchanged a few more words.

Take a look at the video:

Virat Kohli scored two boundaries off Asitha Fernando including a boundary over mid-wicket where he danced down the track and got it over the infield.

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India in dire straits after Virat Kohli's wicket

Virat Kohli had to depart to the pavilion after scoring 20 runs as he missed a straight delivery from Dunith Wellalage and was trapped in front. The star batter did take a review but the replays showed three reds and he began to walk even before the ball tracking was shown.

The Men in Blue once again received a brisk start from Rohit Sharma, but the Indian captain departed for a quickfire 35, caught behind off Dunith Wellalage's bowling. Apart from the big wickets of Rohit and Kohli, Wellalage has also picked up the scalps of Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel.

Even before reaching the three-figure mark, the Men in Blue have lost six wickets and the batters have once again not been able to adjust to the ball turning square. Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube are out in the middle at the time of writing, but with just Washington Sundar to come, India have a steep ask.

If they lose this game, they will lose their first ODI series against Sri Lanka since 1997.