Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli found himself at the center of yet another controversy during Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). After being dismissed for 36, Kohli appeared to lose his composure when provoked by a spectator on his way back to the dressing room.
Kohli’s Knock and Unfortunate Dismissal
Kohli looked in good touch during his 86-ball stay at the crease, demonstrating excellent discipline in leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. However, a mix-up with partner Yashasvi Jaiswal resulted in a run-out that seemed to disrupt Kohli’s focus. Shortly after, he nicked an outside delivery to be dismissed for 36, ending a promising 102-run partnership for the third wicket.
Tensions Rise as Crowd Boos Kohli
As Kohli made his way back to the pavilion, the Australian crowd greeted him with a chorus of boos. While he initially maintained his composure, a comment from an Australian fan appeared to provoke him. Kohli turned around and started walking back toward the spectator, visibly agitated. An official intervened, placing a reassuring hand on Kohli’s shoulder and calming him down before guiding him to the dressing room.
Ongoing Fallout from Day 1 Incident
The incident comes on the heels of a physical confrontation between Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1. The pair had a heated exchange following a shoulder bump, with Usman Khawaja stepping in to diffuse the situation. Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee for the altercation, but Australian media and former cricketers, including Ricky Ponting, have called for stricter action against the Indian star.
Kohli Responds to Crowd Provocation
Kohli continued to draw the ire of Australian fans while fielding near the boundary, where he cheekily encouraged the crowd to boo louder. Despite his fiery responses, the late dismissals of both Kohli and Jaiswal handed Australia a significant advantage in the match.
India’s Struggles Continue
At stumps on Day 2, India reached 164/5, trailing Australia’s massive first-innings total. Rishabh Pant (6) and Ravindra Jadeja (4) were unbeaten at the crease, tasked with leading a fightback on Day 3. The pressure remains on the Indian team to recover and keep their hopes alive in the Boxing Day Test.
