Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has as soon as once more discovered himself on the middle of controversy following the recently-concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Recognized for his intense on-field persona, Kohli’s fiery interactions and heated exchanges with gamers have typically made headlines, and this sequence has been no completely different. From a shoulder incident with an Australian participant in the course of the Melbourne Check to mocking the notorious Sandpaper Scandal within the Sydney Check, Kohli’s actions have turn out to be the topic of intense debate within the cricketing world.
Virat Kohli’s on-field feuds gasoline debate
Kohli first made headlines in the course of the Melbourne Check when Kohli and Australian opener Sam Konstas have been concerned in a heated confrontation. The altercation occurred after the tenth over of Australia’s innings when Kohli appeared to brush shoulders with Konstas whereas strolling previous him. The bodily contact didn’t sit properly with Konstas, who instantly expressed his displeasure. The scenario escalated right into a verbal spat between the 2 gamers, prompting the intervention of on-field umpires to revive order. Whereas the trade showcased Kohli’s aggressive demeanor, it additionally drew criticism for crossing the road of sportsmanship.
Kohli once more made waves on the third day of the Sydney Check, the place his animated gestures caught the eye of followers and critics alike. After Steve Smith’s dismissal, Kohli was seen making a “sandpaper” gesture towards the Australian crowd, an obvious reference to the notorious 2018 ball-tampering scandal. The scandal, which concerned Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft utilizing sandpaper to change the situation of the ball, stays one of many darkest moments in Australian cricket historical past. Kohli’s reference to the incident was broadly seen as a mocking gesture.
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Simon Katich’s scathing remarks on Kohli’s conduct
Former Australian cricketer Simon Katich, who labored with Kohli because the coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019, has weighed in on the current incidents involving the Indian batter. Katich questioned Kohli’s mindset in the course of the tour, criticizing his bodily contact in Melbourne and the sandpaper reference in Sydney as pointless and unsavory incidents.
“I feel it’s important to query what kind of headspace he’s been in on this tour to be doing that, making bodily contact in Melbourne after which even the opposite unsavoury incident in Sydney with the sandpaper reference there with the pockets,” Katich stated on ESPN’s Across the Wicket present.
Katich criticized Kohli’s actions, stating they have been pointless and referencing outdated controversies, finally suggesting that such conduct has tarnished Kohli’s status each on and off the sphere throughout this tour.
“I imply that in itself, there was no want for that. It’s previous information so in a approach I feel he’s tarnished his status considerably on this tour, on and off the sphere,” Katich added.