Australian media outlets criticised the decision taken on Kohli, calling for stricter penalties, including a one-match suspension
GUWAHATI: A popular Australian news outlet by the name of The West Australian branded Virat Kohli a clown following his shoulder barge with Australian opener Sam Konstas on Thursday, December 26. The scuffle between the two players had taken place during the first day of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
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Following the incident, the news outlet was quick to criticise the Indian batsmen by terming him ‘Clown Kohli,’ with an illustration of a clown’s nose illustrated over his photo. The outlet also called Kohli a “sook,” which is an Australian slang for crybaby.
Match referee Andy Pycroft announced a verdict penalising Kohli with a 20% match fee fine and one demerit point, deeming the punishment sufficient. However, Australian media outlets further criticised the decision, calling for stricter penalties, including a one-match suspension.
Ravi Shastri, Indian cricket commentator, was not surprised by the media backlash. “You expect that in a home country,” he reportedly said. “I wish our country would stand up for our players in situations like this in a bigger way.”
Even though the incident created an online storm, Konstas himself downplayed the matter in a post-match interview. “I was just adjusting my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me. But I think that is just cricket, just the tension,” he said.
