In another firefight at SCG, Virat Kohli reignited his tumultuous relationship with Australian audiences. The Indian maestro, never one to back down from a fight, made a bold gesture by referring to the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, evoking strong reactions from fans.
Virat Kohli taunts the Australian crowd with a sandpaper move
The atmosphere in SCG was electrified Australia achieved a modest target of 162 runs. WITH India fighting tooth and nail to defend their total, the crowd were at their best, booing Kohli every time he got close to the boundary. But Kohli, known for his unyielding spirit, did not let the taunts go unanswered.
After Steve SmithThe dismissal, Kohli’s sharp gesture, mimicked the grinding, a direct nod to Australia’s darkest cricket scandal. His antics further stirred the crowd, making it clear that Kohli is not one to forgive or forget easily.
Also read: “Mujhe pata hai kaun bhaga tha….”, Harbhajan Singh slams allegations against Rohit Sharma amid dressing room controversyMr
https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1875718379253706767
What is the Sandpapergate incident?
In 2018, the Australian cricket team faced global outrage when Cameron Bancroft was caught ball-tampering using sandpaper during a Test against South Africa. The scandal led to one-year bans for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
Although Smith and Warner have since returned to international cricket, the stain of Sandpapergate remains. Cricket Australia eventually lifted Smith’s leadership ban, but the controversy continues to haunt Australian cricket.
Kohli’s history with Australian fans
Kohli’s encounters with Australian fans have always been eventful. He is no stranger to whistles and hostile shouts, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But instead of being upset, Kohli often revels in the crowd’s hostility.
During the fourth Test in Melbourne, Kohli found himself in hot water after a shoulder bump incident with debutant Sam Konstas. The row led to a 20% penalty on his match fee. Yet Kohli’s response was anything but apologetic. He invited the crowd to boo louder, showing his defiance.
Kohli comes in as the stand-in captain
The ongoing Sydney Test has taken another twist with India’s full-time captain Jasprit Bumrah suffered a back spasm. Kohli, despite not being the official vice-captain, took over the leadership duties on the third day.
Bumrah’s injury came as a blow for India, especially during Australia’s chase. Although he returned to bat briefly in India’s second innings, the team had to defend their total without their main pacer.
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