It was healthy clash amid the cricketers and there was no damage done to the brand of cricket. If Stokes was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Kohli's aggressive behaviour is no hidden.
Kohli's wrathful nature is eminent among his fans, thanks to media's bit by bit coverage of his movements, be it on or off-field, but the third Test between India and England witnessed Kohli as one of the nicest persons in the game.
England's Haseeb Hameed batted with a broken finger on Day four and remained unbeaten on 59 during his side's second innings. When the visitors got bowled out for 236, and the English batsmen began their way back to the pavilion, Kohli went up to Hameed.
Only vivid followers of the Indian Test skipper would not have been surprised when Kohli ran to England's Haseeb Hameed to pat on his back for a fighting knock.
"I wish him a speedy recovery, he showed great character for a 19-year-old," Kohli said during the press conference following India's eight-wicket victory in the third Test.
He was the same Kohli who has been hitting the headlines for his send-offs given to Stokes.
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In the first innings when Stokes showed disappointment on his dismissal hoping for a front-foot no ball, an annoyed Kohli had asked him to walk back.
Stokes received a quick opportunity to get back at Kohli. The very next day he bagged Kohli's wicket and celebrated it by placing his hands over his mouth.
In reply, when Stokes was dismissed in the next innings, all Kohli did was put his and sent out a profound message in the quietest possible way. However, the war was still on!
Though Kohli seemed to have had the last laugh in his tiff against Stokes, he had earned no respect for that act. In cricket, that is considered to a 'Gentleman's sport,' players are expected to avoid any such conducts.
At the end of the third Test on Tuesday, the BCCI shared a picture that showed the Indian Test skipper talking to a dejected Hameed. The 18-year-old will be returning to England to an injury he suffered during the Mohali Test.
Inspiring generation next. Young @HaseebHameed97 is all ears to #TeamIndia captain @imVkohli
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 29, 2016
All Stokes took along with him was a Test loss and a reprimand by the ICC, while Kohli, who is a role model to thousands of youngsters dreaming of becoming a cricketer, restored the respect and admiration of his fans.