The former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli found himself at the center of controversy during India’s tour of Australia, following an incident involving Australian player Sam Konstas. Kohli, who had received a warm welcome in Perth at the start of the tour, was praised as the “king” by the Australian media, a sentiment that was widely embraced by fans on both sides. In an effort to capture the attention of Indian audiences, some newspapers even incorporated Hindi in their headlines. However, just a month later, the tone shifted drastically, with the same media outlets launching scathing criticism and labeling Kohli as a “crybaby” after the controversial moment in Melbourne.
The incident in question took place during the 10th over on Day 1 of the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Sam Konstas, a debutant playing in his first Test match, had just faced the final ball of the previous over. As the players moved to their respective positions for the next delivery, Konstas began walking towards the non-striker’s end while adjusting his gloves. Meanwhile, Kohli, coming from a wider position outside the crease, walked directly into Konstas’s path, resulting in a bump between the two players. This seemingly minor collision quickly escalated, leading to a heated verbal exchange between the two, forcing the on-field umpires to intervene and calm the situation.
The aftermath of the incident saw harsh criticism directed at Kohli, particularly from the Australian media. A leading publication, The West Australian, ridiculed him with the headline “Clown Kohli,” a stark contrast to their earlier reverence for the Indian star. The article accompanying the headline included a slug that read: “Indian sook slammed for pathetic bump in teen’s dream Test debut.” The term “sook,” commonly used in the Tasmanian region, refers to someone who is cowardly or overly sensitive, often synonymous with being a “crybaby.” This choice of words further amplified the ridicule aimed at Kohli, highlighting the sharp shift in the media’s narrative around him.
The incident also drew disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Kohli was charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct following a review by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Shawn Craig. The charge specifically pertained to conduct unbecoming of a player, with Kohli accepting the sanctions without requesting a formal hearing. Match referee Andy Pycroft oversaw the proceedings and imposed a penalty on Kohli, fining him 20% of his match fee and adding one demerit point to his disciplinary record.
The ICC released a statement regarding the matter, confirming that Kohli had acknowledged his actions and the associated penalties. “Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” the statement read. It further clarified that no formal hearing was required as Kohli had agreed to the proposed sanctions.
This incident added another chapter to the history of intense rivalries between India and Australia, with emotions often running high both on and off the field. While Kohli remains a celebrated figure in international cricket, this episode served as a reminder of the scrutiny faced by players, especially when the stakes are as high as those in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
