It seems the Australian media just cannot catch a break when it comes to India skipper Virat Kohli. The love-hate relationship began when Kohli infamously flashed the middle-finger at the Sydney crowd during the 2011-12 tour, and it elevated to a whole new level during this year’s Test series. From below the belt comments, calling names to comparing him with animals, the Australian media did it all to criticise Kohli.
And as if those were not enough, another Australia journalist Dennis Freedman has caused a huge controversy just ahead of the upcoming five-match ODI series. Freedman posted an old photo of Kohli when he was cleaning the stands at Eden Gardens as a part of Swachh Bharat campaign and wrote:
“Sweepers clean the stadium in readiness for the World XI match”.
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/907521353602940928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fadmin.sportzwiki.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D142164%26action%3Dedit
Freedman has been widely criticised for the disrespecting tweet and has now been slammed by former cricketers Sourav Ganguly and Michael Clarke.
“It is in very bad taste because Virat Kohli is a popular face everywhere. But that’s what has happened with Australia over the years. I think Virat Kohli should not bother he should just keep hitting those deliveries which come up because he’s a remarkable player in one-day cricket,” Ganguly told India Today.
Ganguly further said that the Australian media’s attempt to rile up Kohli would only motivate the latter to perform.
“Virat won’t care whatsoever, if anything this will inspire him to want to beat Australia even more. This stuff is what Virat Kohli loves. He loves it when a player sledges him or somebody in the media fires him up. It gives him another reason to come out and perform,” he added.
If I was the Australian team I wouldn’t be happy at this stage. His (Kohli’s) fans are obviously going to come out and support him. There was probably no need for it at all,” Clarke said.
Talking about the Aussie media’s ‘spoilt brat’ comment, Ganguly opined:
“Anybody who beats them is a spoilt brat. I was one when I played against them, obviously, it was a no-nonsense situation. You did not suck up to all the nonsense which happened with the Australian journalist and even on the field. I don’t think Virat should worry about it, he should just move on and win the series.”
On the other hand, Clarke said players should take it as a compliment if the Australian media criticise them.
“I think you should take it as a compliment. It’s no different to how you walk out in the field against England and get booed. I used to take that as a compliment. I used to think there’s a reason they don’t like you because you are performing against them,” Clarke said. “I’ve said this openly that Australian media at times has been disgraceful in regards to the way they have treated Virat Kohli.”