The recently concluded test series between India and Australia will be remembered for a long time by cricket enthusiasts. From on-field action to off-the-field drama, the series was more than a cracker and certainly one of the most power-packed ones we’ve witnessed in a long time.
As entertaining as the series was, it also revealed the ugly side of cricketing rivalry between the two nations. While on-field banter between the players was still acceptable, the Australian media and some of their former players came all guns blazing at Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Making him a villain for an FB poll, comparing him with Donald Trump and accusing him of missing the last test to prepare for the IPL, they pulled out every dirty trick from their hat to take a jibe at him.
Before the first test of the series at Pune, Virat Kohli tried to start the competition on a positive note by saying that he is good friends with the Australian players off-the field.
However, this gesture of good faith went in vain as the Aussies showed no respect to the Indian skipper. Perhaps, they couldn’t stand his exemplary talent or maybe they are just sore losers.
Now, this kind of behaviour would rattle anyone and Virat responded in a very dignified way on the matter after India won the series at Dharamsala.
But many Aussie fans and media houses still portrayed him in a negative light for his comment.
To clear the air on the matter, Virat Kohli took to Twitter today and said his piece.
1/2 My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team but
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017
2/2only a couple of individuals.I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017
Virat’s reaction to the fiasco has certainly made him stand on a higher moral pedestal than the Australian players as well as their big-mouth media. Let’s hope this ends here and he shows his magic again in the upcoming IPL.
P.S- Steve Smith is good, but he is just not Virat Kohli.