Virat Kohli’s behavior on the field during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 has caused a lot of criticism, with former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar being one of the main critics. During a tense moment in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Kohli pushed 19-year-old Sam Konstas with his shoulder, which surprised many and led to discussions all over the cricket world.
Sunil Gavaskar openly criticized Virat Kohli, saying his behavior was “not cricket.” This incident has become a major topic of discussion in the recent five-match Test series between India and Australia. A lot of people are questioning if Kohli’s fiery attitude on the field is having an impact on his batting form.
“What Kohli did with the shoulder bump is simply not cricket. Indians are not shy to retaliate if provoked, but here the provocation was simply not there. The one thing that players learn with experience is that it’s futile to try and get back at the crowds, who have come to have a good time, so booing players is never personal but just a way to entertain themselves,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Some fans support Kohli’s aggressive style, but former players and experts from India and Australia strongly criticized his actions. The heated moments didn’t end in Melbourne, as Jasprit Bumrah also got into a verbal fight with Sam Konstas in Sydney, making the controversy worse during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
"What is that about?"#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HwNZXhKW1S
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025
Kohli only managed to get attention through his aggression on the field as he failed to leave his mark with the bat. Despite scoring a century in the first test at Perth he scored 190 runs in nine innings. He kept getting out chasing outside off deliveries and ended up in the slips or to the keeper. Now, more people call for Kohli and Rohit Sharma to be dropped from the Test team.
“To react to that doesn’t do the player any good, and in fact, does more harm. Kohli must understand that whatever he does to react to the crowd actually puts more pressure on his teammates, who also then become targets of the spectators,” Gavaskar said.
“With his continued failures to avoid nibbling at the deliveries around the off-stump, he failed to make the contribution that could have boosted the total,” Gavaskar remarked about Kohli’s form.
Kohli is likely to play for India in the upcoming three ODIs against England at home.
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
