'Tell your mate that Virat isn't a thug' - Tino Best lashes out at English press

Former West Indies fast bowler Tino Best came in defence of Virat Kohli against the English media after an image of Kohli celebrating the wicket of Alex Lees in the fifth Test match at Edgbaston surfaced on the internet. The picture, which shows the Indian batter standing in the ‘danger area’ of the pitch, was shared by English journalist George Dobell.

Dobell called it an “interesting” place to celebrate the wicket. Best, in response to the social media post, claimed that people have an issue with anybody who is “bold and brown or black”.  He later asked Dobell to tell his “mate” that Kohli is not a “thug” but a “modern-day icon”.

“An interesting place to celebrate the wicket of Alex Lees,” Dobell wrote on Twitter with the picture of Kohli running on the middle of the pitch.

“Bro y’all Reaching Now FFS, …… anyone who’s BOLD and brown or black y’all always got a Dammmm problem with anyone who challenges y’all its an issue, I’m tired of reading the English press talk crap about Virat or any player who isn’t English,” replied Best.

However, he later admitted that he was not particularly taking a dig at Dobell but the English press in general.

Bro y’all Reaching Now FFS 🤦🏾‍♂️, …… anyone who’s BOLD and brown or black y’all always got a Dammmm problem with anyone who challenges y’all its an issue, I’m tired 🥱 of reading the English press talk crap about Virat or any player who isn’t English .

— Tino95 (@tinobest) July 6, 2022

He isn’t English so we would get these types of articles: Tino Best

“C’mon, Tino. You know me much better than that,” Dobell replied, to which Best wrote, “For sure George you’re a real one but the others alway reaching from the English commentators etc etc, tell your mate that Virat isn’t a thug he’s a modern day Icon simple ……. But then again he isn’t English so we would get these types of Articles make them Grovel.”

For sure George you’re a real one but the others alway reaching from the English commentators etc etc , tell your mate that Virat isn’t a thug he’s a modern day Icon simple ……. But then again he isn’t English so we would get these types of Articles make them Grovel 👍🏾

— Tino95 (@tinobest) July 6, 2022

Meanwhile, India fell short in the match as England chased down 378 with seven wickets in hand and over two sessions to spare. The series ended in a 2-2 draw, and Jonny Bairstow was given the Man of the Match for his twin centuries.V