Virat Kohli has once again divided opinions after his aggressive on-field antics in the second Test against Australia. The India skipper looked his usual self as he encouraged teammates and fans in equal measure; passionately gesturing, appealing and celebrating. At one stage, he even urged the fans in crowd to make more noise as India tried to take control over the proceedings.
Read More – Most Four Wickets in IPL
But things soon turned nasty when Kohli targeted his Australia counterpart Tim Paine with his verbal volleys. The 30-year old had reportedly fired a belittling comment that labelled Paine ‘a stand-in captain’ and himself ‘the best player in the world’.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has strongly refuted that report. However, it did not stop the widespread criticism for the batting star. Kohli then didn’t help his cause by sharing a frosty handshake with Paine. Minimum eye contact was made, and no words shared as tensions were clear.
Also Read – IPL 2018 Schedule
From former cricketers, fans to Bollywood stars, everyone came down hard on Kohli.
However,former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has leapt in Kohli’s defence, urging the cricketing world to cut the under-fire batsman some slack.
Also Read – IPL 2017 Schedule
Calling Kohli one of the modern greats of the game Akhtar tweeted:
“@imVkohli is one of the modern greats of the game. Aggression has been a part & parcel of competitive cricket, specially when you are playing Down Under as long as it stays in limit. Please cut him some slack.”
@imVkohli is one of the modern greats of the game. Aggression has been a part & parcel of competitive cricket, specially when you are playing Down Under as long as it stays in limit. Please cut him some slack.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) December 20, 2018
Australia, meanwhile, rubbed salt to Kohli and India’s wounds by winning the second Test by 146 runs. Chasing 287, India were all out for just 140 in the second innings. The caravans now move to Melbourne where the third Test gets underway on December 26. A win in the third Test will see India take an unassailable lead and retain the Border-Gavaskar series.
