When England skipper Joe Root introduced the ‘mic drop’ to the cricket world during his series-winning knock in the third and final ODI against India a fortnight ago, little did he know the gesture would soon come back to haunt him.
As a signal, the ‘mic drop’ — intentionally dropping the microphone after a performance or speech — is considered a boastful attitude to silence naysayers. American comedians Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock often dropped it mics to make strong statements and former US president Barack Obama made it more famous when he signed off in style during his final White House correspondents’ dinner. Root enacted it with his willow after completing his century.
Root, who had called the celebration gesture the most embarrassing thing he had ever done on the cricket field, tasted his own medicine on the opening day of the first Test against India at Edgbaston. And not surprisingly, it was Virat Kohli who gave it back to his English counterpart.
After effecting a spectacular run out to dismiss Root, an animated Kohli celebrated emphatically by blowing kisses and mocked the batsman with the ‘mic drop’.
Joe Root
Some swear words, too, were heard. Root’s departure triggered a mini-collapse as India hit back strongly. This was a key moment in the first Test, probably its biggest turning point on day 1.
There is an improved relationship between international players because of time spent in the IPL but Kohli has given enough indications that he would maul anyone who comes his way. He is more and more in that of mood these days. English media have already made a splash of Kohli’s celebration and it would only spice up the long and challenging five-match series.
There are, however, efforts from the English camp to also play down the incident. “Everybody is entitled to celebrate how they want to. That’s how he celebrated and that’s cool,” said England opener Keaton Jennings after the day’s play.
