Root run out sparks England collapse, controversial Kohli send-off

BIRMINGHAM: Joe Root´s run out by opposing captain Virat Kohli sparked an England collapse against India on the opening day of the first Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday and may have set the tone for the series after the tourists´ skipper gave him a colourful and controversial send-off.

At stumps, England were 285 for nine in what is their 1,000th Test.

However, the action may yet be overshadowed by suggestions Kohli swore at Root and mocked the home skipper´s ´mic drop´ celebration in a one-day clash between the two sides last month.

England had been well-placed at 216 for three, with Root seemingly on course to score a first Test century since his 136 against the West Indies during last year´s day/night clash at Edgbaston.

But his 11th Test fifty without a hundred since that innings ended in frustrating fashion after a run out involving Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow.

Wicket-keeper Bairstow played the ball to midwicket for a single and then set off for what always looked a tight second, with Root comfortably run out by Kohli´s agile direct hit on the turn to end a 156-ball innings including nine fours.

It was also the finish of a fourth-wicket stand worth 104.

However, Kohli rubbed salt into the wound by blowing kisses in the direction of Root and putting his finger to his lips.

He also did the ´mic drop´ gesture in imitation of Root´s celebration of his one-day series-clinching hundred against India at the batsman´s Headingley home ground and the words Kohli appeared to utter in the batsman´s direction could attract the attention of match referee Jeff Crowe, the former New Zealand captain.