Virat Kohli is one of India’s most accomplished cricketers against Australia. The right-handed batsman has scored 2,168 runs in 28 Test matches, including nine centuries and five half-centuries. Notably, most of these runs have been made on Australian soil.
Virat Kohli has gained respect from many Australian fans for his stellar Test performances, but the local media still targets him. Recently, he made headlines when he confronted reporter Nat Yoannidis at the airport, asking her to delete photos of his family while allowing individual shots of him.
In Australia, journalists are permitted to photograph celebrities in public spaces, which led to the viral incident. Nine Sports journalist Tony Jones called Kohli a “bully” for his actions.
Here Are The 3 Incidents Where Aussie Media Takes Aim at Virat Kohli:
#3 The media’s unexpected response to Virat Kohli giving the finger
Virat Kohli’s first Test match in Australia came during India’s 2011/12 tour, which proved frustrating as they were defeated 0-4. In the Sydney Test, Australia scored 366 runs while losing just one wicket in an entire day’s play.
During the match, spectators near the boundary line angered Virat with offensive comments about his family, leading him to flip the finger in response.
While Virat defended himself, saying he had never heard such hurtful things about his family, the media criticized his reaction. They argued that his impulsive gesture would only encourage more abuse from fans eager to provoke him again.
#2 When the Australian media mocked Virat’s struggles in England
India was set to tour Australia in late 2018, but the Australian media started playing mind games months ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In mid-2018, as India toured the UK for a Test series against England, Fox Sports Australia posted a compilation of Virat’s dismissals from his difficult 2014 England tour, with the following caption:
“Virat Kohli’s favorite shot in England (with a winking emoji)”
The video quickly gained traction on Facebook Watch, amassing over a million views and 31,000 likes.
#1 When Aussie media likened Virat Kohli to Trump
During the 2017-18 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Virat injured his shoulder, and Steve Smith seemingly mocked him after a wicket. In response, Virat celebrated David Warner’s dismissal in the Ranchi Test with a shoulder gesture.
It was revealed that the broadcaster misrepresented the footage, and Smith wasn’t mocking Virat. The broadcaster apologized to Smith, and when asked about it, Virat said such incidents are part of cricket.
The Australian media anticipated an apology from Virat for his actions. When he refused, they published an article likening him to US President Donald Trump, describing him as “completely untouchable” and “a law unto himself.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
