January 3, 2025

Ex-England Cricketer Criticizes Australian Fans for Booing Virat Kohli, Hailing Him as Test Cricket’s Finest Ambassador

Australian Fans Criticized for Booing Virat Kohli During Fifth Test

Australian cricket fans have been targeting Virat Kohli since his contentious encounter with debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the fourth Test in Melbourne. The incident occurred after the 10th over when Kohli, appearing to deliberately shoulder Konstas, exchanged heated words with the young batter. The situation was diffused by the umpire and Usman Khawaja.

Konstas, undeterred by the altercation, scored an impressive 60 runs off 65 balls in his maiden innings. Meanwhile, Kohli faced repercussions, with the ICC fining him 20 percent of his match fee for the incident. The Melbourne crowd did not hold back in expressing their disapproval of Kohli, and their hostility persisted into the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

When Kohli walked to the crease to replace opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 1, the SCG crowd erupted in boos. The jeers continued unabated as the Indian legend made his way to the middle.

Former England cricketer Mark Nicholas voiced his disappointment with the treatment of Kohli, calling out the Australian fans for their behavior. “It’s disheartening to see one of the greatest ambassadors of the game subjected to such a reception. Booing a player of his stature is neither sportsmanlike nor respectful,” Nicholas remarked.

Kohli, widely regarded as one of the finest batters in cricket history, has often been a polarizing figure in Australia due to his aggressive on-field demeanor. However, such hostility from the crowd raises questions about maintaining the spirit of the game and respecting its legends.

The ongoing animosity towards Kohli has added another layer of tension to an already high-stakes series, with both teams fiercely competing for supremacy in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As the series concludes, cricket enthusiasts worldwide will undoubtedly reflect on the importance of upholding respect for players who have significantly contributed to the sport.

“I didn’t like Virat Kohli getting booed when he entered the playing area. I agreed he was wrong when he shouldered the young Australian cricketer, considering the fact that it was his first game, and with all the experience in the world, Virat should have avoided that. However, we can’t forget that Virat is one of the greatest ambassadors of Test cricket, and he deserves respect. You can’t do that with one of the greatest,” he said on Star Sports.

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