India captain Virat Kohli hit back at Ben Stokes after seeing the England all-rounder fall just minutes before the close of play on day three, where yet another top order batting collapse saw the third Test slip away from the tourists.

Kohli and Stokes have been locked in a back-and-forth feud since the Durham man was dismissed in the first innings by Ravindra Jadeja. Having charged down the pitch with England precariously placed at 144-4, Stokes missed the ball and was stumped by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.

Upon his departure, Kohli said something to Stokes that triggered a furious response, and it was the England talisman who was reprimanded by the ICC for using offensive language.

Stokes would have his chance to respond, as when his delivery to Kohli in India’s first innings was edged behind to Jonny Bairstow, Stokes immediately put his hand over his mouth in a gesture directly aimed at his verbal spat with Kohli the day before.

But day three would bring an embarrassing moment for Stokes, as he was trapped lbw by Ravichandran Ashwin in the final over of the day. As he trudged past a jubilant Kohli, the Indian skipper put both fingers to his lips to replicate Stokes’s gesture, but the difference was that only one of them knew they’d be tasting victory come the end of the third Test.

Kohli and Stokes have been locked in a bitter feud since the first day (Reuters)