• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Virat Kohlis Clown Remark Sparks Reactions From Former Indian Cricketers

Virat Kohli's 'Clown' Remark Sparks Reactions From Former Indian Cricketers

Virat Kohli's 'Clown' Remark [Source: @iamAhmadhaseeb/X]Virat Kohli's 'Clown' Remark [Source: @iamAhmadhaseeb/X]

The fiery clash between Virat Kohli and Australian cricketer Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne became one of the most talked-about moments of the match. It was not just the on-field incident that made headlines, but the media’s reaction to it that set off a storm of criticism, especially from former Indian cricketers.

The drama unfolded during the 10th over of the Test match when Kohli, walking past 19-year-old Konstas, deliberately barged into him with his shoulder. This seemingly small action sparked a heated exchange between the two players. 

However, what truly blew the situation out of proportion was the headline in The West Australian, which called Kohli a "Clown." The headline, accompanied by a photo of Kohli with a clown's nose, read: “Indian sook slammed for pathetic bump in teen's dream Test debut.” This insult, along with other harsh words like “sook” (which means coward or crybaby), set off a storm in both the cricketing world and on social media.

The media’s choice to call Kohli a "clown" seemed like an unnecessary and exaggerated response. It appeared to be a sensationalist attempt to sell newspapers by attacking a high-profile figure. This did not sit well with Kohli’s supporters, especially in India, where fans felt the label was both unfair and harsh.

Sunil Gavaskar Defends Virat Kohli

India legend Sunil Gavaskar was one of the first to come to Kohli's defense. Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar slammed the Australian media for its constant criticism of Kohli, likening it to the media being the "12th man" of the Australian team.

 "They are like the 12th man of the Australian team," Gavaskar remarked, pointing out that the media often targets players who pose the biggest challenge to Australia’s dominance. Gavaskar emphasized the irony of how Australian media, which routinely brands their own team’s sledging as ‘aggression,’ suddenly becomes the moral guardian of the ‘spirit of cricket’ when it comes to Kohli.

Gavaskar, who has faced similar challenges with the Australian media in the past, recounted his own experiences during the infamous 1981 Melbourne Test. "They sledged me after a poor umpiring decision, and they demonized me for standing up to it," he said

Irfan Pathan Criticises the Australian Media 

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan also spoke out against the Australian media’s double standards. He highlighted how the media often built up cricketers only to tear them down when they made a mistake. 

"Australian media makes a king out of a cricketer and then, in the same breath, calls him a joker. They use cricketers to sell their papers but fail to hold their own accountable when it comes to on-field behavior,"  he said, during his appearance on Star Sports.

He also criticized the media for focusing on Kohli's actions while ignoring past instances of poor behavior from Australian players, such as the infamous spitting incident involving Ramnaresh Sarwan.

Ravi Shastri Unhappy With Virat Kohli

Former Indian captain Ravi Shastri weighed in on the situation, suggesting that the Australian media’s over-the-top reaction was fueled by desperation. He noted that Australia hadn’t won a Test match at the MCG in over a decade and that the country’s media and public were eager for any opportunity to criticize India, especially after the series was tied 1-1.

"In many ways, it’s a little bit of desperation. You know, you are three matches into the series, the scoreline is 1–1, and you have still not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"You know, you’ve got to win at Melbourne. So, all these things creep in.

"I’ve been to Australia many, many times. It’s like the whole country comes behind the team—not just the crowds, but the media as well. I am not surprised because I see that sense of desperation. If Australia had already been 3–0 or 2–0 up, the headlines might have been different," Shastri said. 

The ICC’s Verdict

After the incident, Kohli was charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. As a result, he was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point. The match officials, including umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, were responsible for making the call. Kohli accepted the sanction without contest, and no formal hearing was needed.

The incident in Melbourne and the subsequent media uproar only added fuel to the fire of the long-standing rivalry between India and Australia.