Image: Virat Kohli urged the crowd to keep it coming and applaud louder in response to the taunts / © The Indian Express
After being bumped into Sam Konstas during the first day of the ongoing India vs. Australia Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Virat Kohli was involved in a heated altercation that resulted in a fine and criticism. However, the controversy didn’t affect Kohli’s spirit as he boldly responded to the crowd, who continued to taunt him, calling him a “wanker”. In a defiant move, Kohli encouraged them to “keep it coming” and cheered for louder chants, showing resilience in the face of hostility.
The crowd’s reaction stemmed from Kohli’s on-field behavior, especially after the incident with Konstas. Despite this, Kohli remained unaffected and delivered an important innings for India. Following the early dismissal of KL Rahul, Kohli steadied the ship with a 102-run partnership alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored his second 50-plus score in Australia. Kohli’s calmness at the crease highlighted his determination to focus on the game, with India recovering from an early setback. Kohli’s gesture to embrace the crowd’s taunts displayed his confidence and mental toughness amid ongoing challenges on this tour.