Controversy during Test series between India and Australia is nothing new. This time the matter is between Indian captain Virat Kohli and Australian media. Australian media has targeted Virat Kohli and called him a ‘bully’ over the heated conversation between Virat Kohli and a female journalist at Melbourne Airport.
What is the whole matter?
The Indian team reached Melbourne after the conclusion of the third Test in Brisbane on 19 December. During this, Australian journalists tried to take pictures of Virat Kohli and his children, due to which Kohli got angry. Virat likes to keep his personal life away from the limelight and has many times publicly appealed not to click pictures of his daughter Vamika.
Virat protested strongly after seeing journalists capturing his children and family on camera at Melbourne Airport. In the video he was heard saying, “I need some privacy with my kids. You can’t do a film without asking me.”
After this he asked the journalist to delete the pictures of his children. However, when it became clear that the Australian media had not recorded anything, Virat ended the conversation by shaking hands with the journalists.
Australian media counterattack
Despite this, Australian media, especially ‘Nine Sports’, exaggerated this incident and called Virat a ‘bully’. A Nine Sports journalist alleged that Virat abused and threatened a female journalist.
Nine Sports journalist said, “Why does a global superstar like Virat Kohli get so angry with the cameras focusing on him? His heated argument and angry attitude with a female journalist was shocking.”
Siraj and Jadeja were also targeted
This is not the first time that Australian media has targeted Indian players.
- Siraj: Even when racist comments were made by Australian spectators, the media played down the incidents rather than supporting Siraj.
- Jadeja: Recently Jadeja faced criticism for not speaking in English during the press conference.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Yashasvi was also targeted for his on-field dispute with Mitchell Starc.
Australian media’s double attitude
Interestingly, before the start of the Test series, the Australian media had praised Virat Kohli a lot. He had described Virat as the greatest player of Indian cricket and a source of inspiration. But now the same media is trying to tarnish his image by calling him a ‘bully’.
Past controversies: events of 2020/21
This is not the first time that the dispute between India and Australia has escalated.
- Abuse for Siraj: Australian fans called Siraj a ‘bug’ in 2020/21, and the media justified it.
- Quarantine issue: During the same tour, the Australian media also put the Indian team in the dock regarding quarantine rules.
