The MCG CEO Stuart Fox has confirmed that no official complaint has been received from team India after fans mocking Virat Kohli while he walked back to the Pavilion after his dismissal on day 02 of the Boxing Day clash.
Kohli’s controversial on-field altercation has not been welcomed by Australian fans and some of them managed to rile up the Indian star during the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Virat Kohli was determined to score some big runs before a mix-up led to Jasiwal’s run out and later he was dismissed again with his outside off-stump weakness.
Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched a solid partnership to recover India after the loss of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. They made a 100 run partnership before being dismissed for 82 and 36 runs respectively.
“You’re never comfortable when you’ve got fans heavily engaging with the player,” said Fox.
As the operator, you are just always watching. I went and looked at the vision last night. I have been talking to security this morning. There has been no official complaint from India; they are comfortable.
.@MCC_Members CEO Stuart Fox on Virat Kohli’s interaction with the crowd as he walked off on day two.#AUSvIND 🏏 #BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/prHMrdLeiY
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) December 28, 2024
“I think a bit of heckling happened late and Kohli obviously popped his head back. I’ll be concerned if it was really abusive and (there is) any physical contact or abuse that’s pushing the boundary. That’s where we are always making sure everyone is well behaved.
“I love Kohli; I love what he has done for our game. I don’t particularly love the booing. I think he should be congratulated on creating the rivalry that he has,” he concluded.
Virat Kohli has began his BGT 2024-25 with a second innings hundred at Perth, but has amassed only 62 runs in his other five innings combined so far. He was dismissed 36 during India’s first innings at MCG.
Australia scored 474 runs in their first innings while India struggled with 164/5 by the end of day 02. Resuming the match on day 03, India avoided follow-on with a century from Nitish Reddy and half century from Washington Sundar to score 358 with one wicket in hand before rain interrupted the game and called for stumps early at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
