The former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has reacted to Australian media portraying Virat Kohli as a clown following the on-field altercation with Sam Konstas on day 01 of the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
He has come in the firing line after his altercation with debutant Sam Konstas in Melbourne. Australian newspaper, “The West Australian” had a headline reading, ‘Clown Kohli’ published a picture of Kohli with a clown’s nose. The article read “Indian sook slammed for pathetic bump in teen’s dream Test debut.”.
The Sook word is used for a cowardly person, especially for crybaby. While speaking to the media, former Indian team cricketer coach Ravi Shastri said, “You expect that in a home country. I wish our country would stand up for our players in situations like this in a bigger way.”
“I am not surprised by this at all, simply because Australia hasn’t won here in 14–15 years. The last time they won a Test match at the MCG was in 2011. So, when they get an opportunity to go berserk, they will go berserk,” said Shastri.
“I’ve been to Australia many, many times. It’s like the whole country comes behind the team—not just the crowds, but the media as well. I am not surprised because I see that sense of desperation. If Australia had already been 3–0 or 2–0 up, the headlines might have been different.” Shastri added.
Virat Kohli’s was reprimanded by many former cricketers for his altercation with Sam Konstas and even fined 20% of his match fees by the ICC.
In a statement on the incident, ICC said, “Virat Kohli has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” the ICC said in a statement.
“No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft,” concluded ICC.
