While the Boxing Day Test takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the confrontation between Virat Kohli and teenage debutant Sam Konstas and the response to that by members of media in both countries has been the main sideshow to the story of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy match.
Following mass criticisms of Kohli by Australian former cricketers and newspapers, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan came to the defense of the batter, impassioned and arguing Kohli’s case by pointing out the hypocrisy involved on the Australian front.
Speaking on Star Sports’ show, Pathan said “First of all the newspapers and the media here, even the Australian ex-cricketers, they have crossed the limit on their hypocrisy. First they are making one guy the king, and right after that if he shows aggression, you are calling him a joker.”
Pathan referred to the headlines and articles targeting Kohli for his shove on Konstas early on day one, and also mentioned how the Indian end wasn’t trying to exonerate Kohli but just leave matters in the hands of officials.
“We don’t support it, all we said was the match referee will make the decision. Just because you want to sell, you’re making him from a king to a joker, just to make cricket more popular,” argued Pathan.
“You’re climbing Virat Kohli’s shoulders, you’re using him, using his market value and taking advantage of it,” he continued. “We will not accept this, as ex-cricketers we cannot accept it, especially Indian cricketers.”
