Sunil Gavaskar Lambasts Virat Kohli For His Sandpaper Act During The Sydney Test Match

The senior Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are getting slammed a lot for their poor performances in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and Virat Kohli is also facing criticism because of his on-field antics which aggravated not only the opposition players but also the spectators.

The former India captain and cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back in criticising Virat Kohli for his actions during the third day of the fifth India-Australia Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Virat Kohli, in an apparent jab at the Australian fans, displayed empty pockets to mock the infamous sandpapergate scandal that once embroiled the Australian team.

His gesture, made during the morning session, served as a sharp reminder of the scandal and sparked controversy.

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Sunil Gavaskar who was present in Australia as a commentator for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy2024-25 expressed disapproval of Virat Kohli’s behaviour. In his column for a leading Australian daily, he argued that such antics unnecessarily increased pressure on Virat Kohli’s teammates, making them targets of the crowd’s ire. He emphasised that a player of Virat Kohli’s stature should exercise restraint, as his reactions to spectators often have a cascading impact on the entire team.

The legendary batter also took issue with Virat Kohli’s shoulder bump on Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He described the act as uncalled for and contrary to the spirit of cricket. While noting that the Indian players are not averse to standing their ground when provoked, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that no clear provocation existed in this instance. He observed that experienced players often learn that reacting to crowds is counterproductive, as fans jeer not out of malice but to amuse themselves. Gavaskar argued that Virat Kohli’s response only compounded his struggles on the field and harmed his image.

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Virat Kohli’s form with the bat throughout the series added to the criticism. He managed to score just 190 runs across the five matches and repeatedly fell prey to similar dismissals outside the off-stump. Sunil Gavaskar included Virat’s lack of discipline at the crease as a factor in India’s struggles, noting that his inability to convert good starts into substantial contributions because of which the team was not able to put up big scores.

The criticism wasn’t limited to Kohli as Gavaskar also pointed out the challenges faced by India’s skipper Rohit Sharma.

Rohit, who stepped aside from the final Test citing poor form, struggled throughout the series, which according to Gavaskar raised serious questions about his future in Test cricket. Both Kohli and Rohit found themselves under scrutiny, with their performances unable to meet the expectations of their stature in the game.

Do you agree with Sunil Gavaskar or you feel that he is being harsh on Virat Kohli? Share your views in this regard.

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