New Delhi: Virat Kohli dominated the headlines on both days of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On Day 1, Kohli hogged the limelight by deliberately bumping into 19-year-old Sam Konstas and on Day 2 he dominated the trends on social media for his well-constructed knock which ended prematurely in a familiar fashion.
Following his antics on Day 1, Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fees and was subsequently labelled a “clown” by ‘The West Australian newspaper. The humiliation was further compounded by a caricature of his face drawn with a red nose.
Australian media slams Virat Kohli after Sam Konstas incident. (Photo-X & Getty Images)
Kohli steals the limelight at MCG
On Day 2, Kohli was yet again dismissed outside off-stump just when he was looking good for a big score. Kohli departed amidst a loud ring of boos at MCG and even confronted fans while returning to the dressing room and stirring another controversy.
While Kohli has faced criticism for his behaviour in Melbourne, former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan came out in support of the star batter and slammed the Australian media for using the Indian icon as a marketing tool. In a post-day chat session, Pathan and Gavaskar labelled Australian media as two-faced.
“Australian newspapers, media and even some ex-cricketers are the definition of being two-faced. First, they go and call Virat Kohli the ‘King’, but the moment he shows some aggression, he is labelled in this way. Double standards,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
Sunny G, Jatin Sapru & Irfan Pathan thrashed Australian media.
“Kohli on the cover sells their newspapers .”
“When their own player sledges, they call it strategy to win (Aussie mentality). When the opposition does it they cry about spirit of cricket”. pic.twitter.com/e8qCuUibXb
— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) December 27, 2024
Pathan called out Australian media for their double standards and stated that the partial behaviour has been continuously happening for several years, and will go on if people from Indian cricket and media do not speak out.
Gavaskar echoed Pathan’s comments and slammed the hypocrisy of the Australian media.
While Virat Kohli has faced criticism for his behaviour in Melbourne Test, former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan came out in support of the superstar batter. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
