Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has slammed the Australian media for their criticism of Virat Kohli following a shoulder-bumping incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The incident, which has drawn widespread attention, led to Kohli being fined 20% of his match fee and receiving one demerit point.
While some, including ex-Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, argued for stricter action against Kohli, Shastri defended the Indian star, accusing the Australian media of targeting him unfairly. Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri described the media’s reaction as “desperation,” pointing to the close nature of the series.
Australian Media’s Scrutiny on Kohli
Kohli has been under intense scrutiny even before the match, with journalists hounding him at the airport and one reportedly attempting to take an unauthorized photo of him and his family. Shastri highlighted this context, suggesting that the media seized on the shoulder-bumping incident to intensify their coverage against Kohli.
Shastri’s Take on the Incident
“You are three Test matches into the series, the scoreline is 1-1. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is still undecided. If Australia had been leading 3-0 or even 2-0, the narrative might have been different. But now, the entire country, including the media, is behind the team, pushing hard for a win in Melbourne,” Shastri remarked.
Shastri further elaborated on the media’s narrative: “When the physical contact happened, it was like, ‘this is our chance.’ They brought out the fangs and the paintbrush to create a larger story.”
Sam Konstas’ Reaction
Konstas, for his part, downplayed the altercation, stating: “I was doing my gloves, and he accidentally bumped me.”
Border-Gavaskar Rivalry Intensifies
The incident has underlined the high stakes and fierce competition in the ongoing India-Australia series. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line, the pressure on both teams is immense, and the media’s coverage has added another layer to the already intense rivalry.
