views : 783
3 Min Read
Australian media brands Virat Kohli a 'Bully' ahead of Boxing Day Test
The Australian media remains relentless in its campaign against the visitors as the Border Gavaskar Trophy nears its decisive match. Virat Kohli’s request for privacy for his children has ignited a frenzy that now dominates discussions leading up to the iconic Boxing Day Test. With the series level at 1-1 after three matches, Australia does not have a clear advantage on home soil. India, though not at the top of their game, still holds the title of defending champions. However, before the on-field action unfolds at the MCG, the Australians are waging an unfair off-field battle, unabashedly targeting prominent Indian players, including Kohli and seasoned all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.
Australian journalist calls Virat Kohli a "bully" ahead of the Boxing Day Test
Following the Gabba Test, the third fixture of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which ended in a draw, Virat Kohli was spotted at Melbourne airport. However, the focus of attention was on Kohli’s interaction with a female reporter. The Indian star, accompanied by his family, requested the media not to take photos of his children. A video of this exchange has since gone viral. Initially, the Australian media characterized the interaction as "fiery." Now, they have taken a step down from their earlier judgement and labeled the Indian batter a "bully." For context, the privacy rules Kohli referred to do not apply in Australia, where public figures can be filmed or photographed without restriction.
As noted in the video that went viral on Thursday, upon landing in Melbourne, a journalist from Channel 7 recorded footage of Kohli and his family, which reportedly upset the cricketer. Kohli approached the reporter, requesting that any images or videos featuring his family be deleted or withheld, though he permitted her to keep those showing him alone. The situation did not escalate beyond this exchange. However, a Nine sports journalist sharply criticized Kohli, accusing him of "berating" the Channel 7 reporter and branding him a "bully" in a strongly-worded critique of the incident.
“Nat was out there with a cameraman, a Channel 7 reporter was out there with his cameraman and they were doing what we do on a daily basis essentially, and that’s be at the airport to actually get identities, whether they’re politicians, whether they’re sporting identities or whatever,” Jones said. “He took umbrage, he being Virat Kohli, to the fact the cameras were focused on him," he added.
“Really? Big tough man, Virat. And then he stood over this girl, Nat Yoannidis, who’s about five foot one, five foot two, and just absolutely berated her. You’re nothing but a bully, Virat," the journalist specified.
The rather harsh assessment of the incident follows reports of Ravindra Jadeja "refusing" to speak in English. The media present at the MCG during Jadeja's address claimed that the Indian player ignored their requests, even though the Australian journalists had been invited to the press conference in the same manner as their Indian counterparts.
