New Delhi: Australian media slammed star India batter Virat Kohli for shoulder-bumping 19-year-old Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday, December 26.
Kohli was labelled as a ‘clown’ and ‘crybaby’ by the Australian newspapers. The incident occurred at the end of the 10th over on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test when Kohli bumped the Australia debutant’s shoulder. This led to a heated argument between the two cricketers before Usman Khawaja stepped in cool things down.
When Virat Kohli landed in Perth last month for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy the Australian media hailed him. One newspaper wrote its headlines in Hindi to catch the attention of Indian fans. More than a month later, ‘The West Australian’ newspaper slammed Virat Kohli by using the headline ‘Clown Kohli’ and the slug on the article read: “Indian sook slammed for pathetic bump in teen’s dream Test debut”.
Australian media choose to use “Clown Kohli” instead of celebrating Sam Konstas debut. This is why Virat Kohli is brand in Australia. Reason to increase the number of sales of newspapers. 🤡#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/B1ksAPfgI3
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) December 26, 2024
Kohli was fined 20 percent of his match fees and handed one demerit point. Former cricketers like Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting also criticised him after the incident. On Day 2, the Australian crowd repeatedly booed the star batter at the MCG.
India 51/2 at tea on Day 2
Australia bowled out for 474 runs in the first innings at the MCG on Day 2. In reply, Team India lost two wickets in 15 overs. Pat Cummins removed skipper Rohit Sharma on 3 runs who tried to play a pull shot but only managed to get a top edge of the bat and Boland took a good catch. Cummins took his second wicket and removed in-form KL Rahul 24 runs just before the tea.
Earlier, Steve Smith scored 140 runs off 197 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and three maximums while Labuschagne also amassed 72 runs off 145 balls. Australian openers Konstas and Khawaja hit half-centuries while Cummins also scored 49 runs. Bumrah took four wickets and Jadeja picked up three wickets.
Virat Kohli was humiliated by the Australian media and labelled a “crybaby” after the shoulder-bumping incident with Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the fourth Australia vs India Test. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
