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Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar They have recently taken a strong stance against the Australian media’s treatment of the Indian cricket star. Virat Kohlicriticizing the perceived double standards and sensationalism that have characterized the coverage of Kohli’s actions during the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. His comments come in light of an incident involving Kohli and Australia debutante Konstas himselfwhich has caused a media storm.
Pathan did not hold back in his condemnation of the Australian press, calling their scrutiny of Kohli a “witch hunt”. He argued that the constant media attack on Kohli is not simply about cricket but rather an attempt to exploit his immense popularity to revive interest in the sport in Australia. Pathan pointed out the hypocrisy in the way the Australian media has historically celebrated Kohli as a “king” one moment, only to vilify him as a “joker” the next. This inconsistency, he noted, reflects a broader trend in which the media capitalizes on the fame of cricketers without holding their own players accountable for similar or worse behavior on the field.
Pathan’s comments were particularly direct regarding an incident in which Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee for shoulder-charging Konstas during the game. While acknowledging that Kohli’s actions were not defensible, Pathan stressed that it is ultimately the responsibility of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to determine appropriate sanctions. He criticized the media for exaggerating the incident, suggesting that they are using Kohli’s image as a scapegoat to sell newspapers and create rumors around cricket.
“Firstly, the newspapers and even some former cricketers here show double standards. One minute you’re hailing a man as king, and the next moment, when he shows some aggression on the field, you’re going to call him a joker? We have never supported what he (Kohli) has done, but the referee will do his job, necessary action will be taken. But calling him a joker after all that. You are just using it and trying to make cricket famous in the country again. But how are you doing that? “They are using Virat Kohli’s market value and we will not accept it at all.” Pathan said on Star Sports.
Also WATCH: Tempers rise as Virat Kohli nearly clashes with Australian fans on Day 2 of AUS vs IND Test
Sunil Gavaskar calls it a double standard at play
Gavaskar, another cricket legend, echoed Pathan’s sentiments during a discussion. He highlighted how the Australian media often adopts a double standard: celebrating aggressive play when it is exhibited by its own players, but harshly condemning it when it comes from opponents like Kohli. Gavaskar commented that the media acts as Australia’s “twelfth man”, targeting players who pose significant challenges to its dominance in cricket. His comments underscore a long-standing frustration among Indian cricketers over how they are portrayed compared to their Australian counterparts.
“This is old news. It’s always ‘if we do it, it’s fine, if you do it, it’s a crime’,” Gavaskar concluded.
Gavaskar also recounted his own experiences with the Australian media, recalling how he faced intense scrutiny during his playing days. He emphasized that while aggression is often celebrated in Australian cricket culture, it becomes a point of contention when directed at its players. This selective outrage further complicates discussions about sportsmanship and fair play in cricket.
Here is the video:
🗣 @IrfanPathan Pathan does not stop, he shouts #Australian media on Kohli-Konstas incident 🫣#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 2 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/S26P7Oq3b0
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2024
Virat Kohli faced off-field challenges over privacy violation
The scrutiny Kohli faces extends beyond the field. Recently, he encountered an altercation with Australian media personnel at an airport, where they attempted to photograph him and his family. This incident has further fueled discussions about the invasion of privacy suffered by high-profile athletes, especially when they express their desire to protect their family’s privacy. Kohli’s insistence on maintaining boundaries for his family adds another layer of complexity to his public persona and highlights the challenges athletes face in balancing personal lives with public expectations.
