Virat Kohli’s on-field antics during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 have sparked a firestorm of criticism, with former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar leading the charge. In a heated moment during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Kohli shoulder-barged Australian youngster Sam Konstas, which raised eyebrows and sparked debates across the cricket world.
Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back, calling Virat Kohli’s behavior “not cricket.” The incident has become one of the most discussed topics of the recent five-match Test series between India and Australia, with many questioning whether Kohli’s fiery on-field persona is beginning to affect his batting form.
Sunil Gavaskar slams Virat Kohli’s shoulder barge in BGT 2024-25
While some fans defend Kohli’s aggressive approach, former players and experts—both Indian and Australian—heavily criticized the former Indian skipper’s actions. The fiery exchanges didn’t stop at Melbourne, as Jasprit Bumrah also had a verbal duel with Sam Konstas in Sydney, intensifying the controversy during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
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Recently, Sunil Gavaskar criticized Virat Kohli’s controversial shoulder bump incident, stressing that such actions have no place in cricket. The legendary Indian batter admitted that Indian players are known to hit back when provoked, but he felt the situation didn’t warrant Kohli’s reaction.
The former Indian captain has emphasized that experienced players know that crowds aren’t personal in their jeering, and it’s simply part of the entertainment, and Kohli must be aware of that. Gavaskar also blamed Kohli for the booing of Indian players by Australian spectators.
Virat Kohli put more pressure on his teammates with his actions: Sunil Gavaskar
The well-known commentator pointed out that Kohli’s on-field antics have also put unnecessary pressure on his India teammates, making them targets as well during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which Australia clinched after beating India by 3-1 in the Test series.
Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for The Age: “That said, what Kohli did with the shoulder bump is simply not cricket. Indians aren’t shy to retaliate if provoked, but here the provocation was simply not there.
“The one thing that players learn with experience is that it is 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. 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.”
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Virat Kohli fails to deliver with the bat on Australia tour
Notably, Virat Kohli failed to deliver with the bat during the recent Test series against Australia. India lost the series 1-3, which also cost them a spot in the World Test Championship final. Many believed Kohli’s aggressive on-field behavior affected his performance against Australia.
Kohli only scored 190 runs in nine innings during the BGT 2024-25. Despite starting the tour strong with a century in Perth, he kept getting out to catches in the slip cordon or to the keeper. Now, there are growing demands of dropping Kohli along with Rohit Sharma from the Test team.