New Delhi: Team India star Virat Kohli gave it back to the Australian crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the hosts’ 162-run chase in their second innings on Day 3 of the 5th Test between the two sides on Sunday. Kohli mocked the Aussie fans over Sandpapergate by pulling off a hilarious empty pockets gesture which went viral in no time.
The incident happened during the 11th over of Australia’s second innings when Mohammed Siraj was bowling against Travis Head and Usman Khawaja. Kohli, who is usually a live wire on the field and rarely shies away from sledging his opponents or engaging in banter with the fans, was all riled up as he mocked the Australians over the sandpaper scandal which rocked the Australian cricket team in 2018.
Kohli imitated Australia batter Cameron Bancroft as he made a gesture of emptying his pockets to show there was no sandpaper, mocking the Australian team in front of their fans at the SCG. Kohli’s antics left the fans in social media in splits as his gesture created a lot of buzz online, adding more spice to an already intense battle between India and Australia on Day 3 of the 5th Test.
Watch Virat Kohli’s ‘sandpaper’ act during 5th Test vs Australia:
“What is that about?”#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HwNZXhKW1S
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025
Interestingly, Kohli copied the actions of Australian batter Bancroft, who was caught on camera trying to tamper with the ball by roughing up one side with a sandpaper during the 3rd Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. After being caught on camera, Bancroft tries to justify his act by showcasing his empty pockets.
Nonetheless, it was too late by then as the Steve Smith-led Australian team were embroiled in the ball-tampering scandal and were accused of cheating by tampering with the ball. While the scandal brought a lot of shame to Australian cricket, it also saw Smith lose his Test captaincy and get banned for a year alongside David Warner. Meanwhile, Bancroft was handed a six-month ban.
India under pressure in 5th Test
Meanwhile, India are under massive pressure in the 5th Test against Australia in Sydney after managing to hand the hosts a target of only 162 runs in their second innings. With stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah not available to bowl due to a back spasm, the onus lies on the shoulders of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to carry India’s hopes with the ball.
Prasidh impressed in Bumrah’s absence as he struck thrice in quick succession to dismiss Sam Konstas (22), Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steve Smith (4) to reduce the hosts to 58/3 in their 162-run chase on Day 3. However, Australia fought back well to head to lunch on 71/3 with Usman Khawaja and Travis Head unbeaten in the middle. Australia need only 91 runs in their 2nd innings to win the Sydney Test and clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Virat Kohli was seen mocking the Australian crowd over Sandpapergate with empty pockets gesture during the hosts’ second innings on Day 3 of the ongoing fifth Test in Sydney. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
