Former Indian opener and expert commentator Sunil Gavaskar has clearly said that the overreaction by Virat Kohli on the field might prove counterproductive. Gavaskar finds it appropriate to stand up and reply in case someone says anything, but such things need not to be stretched too far. Gavaskar has expressed that Kohli’s fiery words on the field and also in the press conference could have been counter-productive and against the interest of the Team India.
Gavaskar said, “Kohli’s verbal duels can be counter-productive and it can affect the Indian team. The Indian team did the same in Brisbane against Johnson (88 and 4/61) and he blasted us. Kohli may get fired up but he needs to know how it would affect the team”.
While many are supporting Kohli’s aggression as the dawn of a fearless brand of cricket from Indians, Gavaskar does not agree. He said, “If this (Kohli’s aggression) is having some steel, are you suggesting that Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly did not have it? They were also massively tough on the field.”
Gavaskar was categorical that being calm did not always mean not responding to taunts. He stated “If somebody says something to you, don’t back off. If you believe what the person is saying is not correct, you have to stand up. But I don’t think we should be initiating anything.”
In a press conference on Sunday, Kohli had said that he was called a spoilt brat by Australians and that the constant taunts helped him score 169. Gavaskar though felt that Kohli was vulnerable after being sledged “He wasn’t his normal self (on Sunday). He had a couple of edgy shots and a few chances. Let’s not forget that it (exchange of words) had an effect on him.”
In the end it can be seen that Gavaskar is somewhat right. After all what did India gain after the sledging incidents of Jadeja- Anderson, Rohit Sharma’s Aggression on the field and now Kohli’s constant anger?