Ravi Shastri reveals the BIG reason why Australian media called Virat Kohli a ‘Clown’ in their headlines

Virat Kohli shoulder bumped into the 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas on the Boxing Day of the fourth Test match in Melbourne.

Ravi Shastri reveals the BIG reason why Australian media called Virat Kohli a ‘Clown’ in their headlines

Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli (Via X)

The fourth Test match between Australia and India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground has garnered a lot of attention. The first day saw Virat Kohli attracting criticism when he shoulder bumped into the 19-year-old debutant for Australia, Sam Konstas. The latter was going all out against the Indian bowlers with his unorthodox and audacious shots.

During the incident, it looked like Kohli intentionally changed direction and initiated the shoulder bump. The Australian newspapers called Kohli a ‘clown’ after the incident. Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri reacted to the situation. Shastri feels that such types of remarks are coming out in the Australian media as the team is desperate after having not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since the home series in 2014-15.

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You expect that in a home country. I wish our country would stand up for our players in situations like this in a bigger way. I am not surprised by this at all, simply because Australia hasn’t won here in 14–15 years. The last time they won a Test match at the MCG was in 2011. So, when they get an opportunity to go berserk, they will go berserk

Ravi Shastri said to Star Sports

Kohli suffered sanctions from the ICC after the incident, as he was fined 20% of his match for breaching a Level 1 breach. The Australian media have always been brutal against the visiting team’s best players. They were severe on Kohli when he first toured Australia. However, he silenced the critics by performing well on Australian soil over the years.

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Ravi Shastri feels that Australia are frustrated with how the series has panned out

Ravi Shastri feels that the Australian players, fans, and the media are frustrated with how the series has gone so far. They haven’t won the BGT trophy since 2015, and the series is level at 1-1 after three matches. Shastri added that the Australians are desperate, and the headlines would have been different in the media had they been 2-0 or 3-0 up in the series by now.

Ravi Shastri feels that Australia are frustrated with how the series has panned out
Ravi Shastri (Via X)

I’ve been to Australia many, many times. It’s like the whole country comes behind the team—not just the crowds, but the media as well. I am not surprised because I see that sense of desperation. If Australia had already been 3–0 or 2–0 up, the headlines might have been different.

Ravi Shastri said.

India won the first Test match in Perth by 295 runs, and Australia came back strongly in the second Test by winning by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The third test in Brisbane ended in a draw. The ongoing Test match in Melbourne is very important for both teams, with the final match of the series set to be played in Sydney.