Former Australian stars expose Virat Kohli’s personal loss in ‘shoulder impact’ and ‘sandpaper’
Former Australian cricketers Aaron Finch and Simon Katich made bold statements about Virat Kohli’s on-field antics during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which Australia won after defeating India in the five-match Test series by a margin of 3- 1.
Blaming Kohli for his unnecessary actions on the Australian tour, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich said the dashing right-hander had “overdone it” and “tarnished his reputation”, particularly with his sandpaper attack on the Australian crowd in the fifth and final game. Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) last week.
Aaron Finch and Simon Katich criticize Virat Kohli’s controversial behavior on the Australian tour
Interestingly, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich shared the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dressing room with Virat Kohli during the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Finch shared the field with the Indian cricket superstar, Katich served as RCB’s head coach in the IPL.
Well, Virat Kohli created a huge controversy with his on-field antics during India’s recent Test series against Australia, leaving fans and former players divided. Drama unfolded on Boxing Day at the MCG when Kohli lunged at teenage Australian debutant Sam Konstas.
Subsequently, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and awarded one point by the ICC. But the controversy didn’t end there, as the former Indian captain’s actions took another twist during the New Year’s Test, where he was seen mimicking a gesture related to the infamous “Sandpapergate” scandal.
He tarnished his reputation both on and off the field: Simon Katich
Kohli turned his pockets inside out, looked down his trousers and appeared to be rubbing the ball, digging into the Australia 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. This provocative behavior did not go down well with several Australian players, including Finch and Katich, who criticized Kohli for crossing the line and even said that the Indian star had lost his reputation by doing so.
Katich has expressed concern over Virat Kohli’s behavior on the Australian tour, suggesting his actions have affected his reputation. He acknowledged Kohli’s status as a modern great in all formats but questioned his mindset on the tour, saying his actions were unnecessary and tarnishing his image.
Simon Katich said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket: “There is no doubt that he (Kohli) was a modern day great in all formats. But I think you have to wonder what kind of space he was in on this tour to do that, making physical contact in Melbourne and even that other awkward incident in Sydney with the pocketed sandpaper reference. I mean that in itself – there was no need for it. It’s old news, so in a way I think he’s tarnished his reputation somewhat on this tour, on and off the court.”
Virat Kohli was trying to find something to light the fire in him: Aaron Finch
On the other hand, Aaron Finch feels that Kohli’s behavior during the tour was fueled by frustration. The former Australian captain pointed out that Kohli often thrives on confrontations but this time he went too far, saying he was trying to motivate but failed.
Aaron Finch told ESPN’s Around the Wicket: “It was just a level of frustration. I said last week that it seemed like he wanted to find conflict and conflict – that’s where he generally plays his best cricket. So he just went overboard on this tour. The bump, which was beyond anything I’ve seen on the field, and then the sandpaper, unnecessary. But overall, I think he was trying to find something to light a fire inside of him, but he just wasn’t up to it.”
