The Australian media has once again drawn criticism for its contentious behavior, this time targeting Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Channel 7 accused Jadeja of refusing to answer questions in English during a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However, a closer look at the incident reveals a vastly different reality.
False Allegations Against Ravindra Jadeja
Channel 7 claimed that Jadeja “refused” to respond to queries from Australian journalists in English and that the press conference was “frosty and strange.” They alleged that he answered questions exclusively in Hindi, leaving Australian reporters confused.
The Reality:
Jadeja never declined to answer questions in English. He simply responded in Hindi because the Indian reporters present asked their questions in that language. No queries were posed to him in English during the interaction.
Fabrication About Press Conference Ending
Another claim suggested that Jadeja abruptly ended the press conference, stating he needed to catch the team bus.
The Reality:
Jadeja never mentioned the team bus or used it as an excuse to wrap up the session. The press conference ended as planned, without any unusual interruptions from Jadeja or the Indian media team.
Misrepresentation of Media Access
The Australian media also alleged that the Indian team restricted access by declaring the press conference exclusive to Indian journalists, despite reportedly inviting Australian reporters.
The Reality:
The Indian media team organized the press conference primarily for the traveling Indian journalists and conveyed this through a private WhatsApp group. A Cricket Australia (CA) representative had already clarified this arrangement to the Australian media.
Aggressive Behavior by Australian Journalists
The incident escalated when some Australian journalists displayed unprofessional behavior toward the Indian media manager. They insisted on recording their exchange with the manager, despite clear explanations about the press conference’s format.
Channel 7’s Invasion of Kohli’s Privacy
This controversy follows an earlier incident involving Channel 7, where they filmed Virat Kohli and his children at the Melbourne airport without consent. Reports falsely suggested that Kohli had a heated exchange with a female reporter during the incident. Witnesses, however, confirmed that Kohli politely requested the media to respect his family’s privacy and even shook hands with the cameraman after assurances that the footage would not be misused.
Heightened Tensions Ahead of Boxing Day Test
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tied at 1-1, tensions between the teams have extended beyond the field. The Australian media’s conduct has added unnecessary strain to an already intense series. As the Boxing Day Test approaches, it’s clear that the focus needs to return to cricket rather than off-field controversies.
