Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar She recently took a strong stand against the Australian media's treatment of the Indian cricket star Virat KohliCriticizing the double standards and perceived sensationalism that has characterized coverage of Kohli's actions during the ongoing period Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Their comments come in light of an incident involving Kohli and Australia The beginner Konstas himselfWhich sparked a media storm.
Pathan did not back down from his condemnation of the Australian press, describing its scrutiny of the Kohli case as a “witch hunt”. He said the media's constant criticism of Kohli was not just about cricket but was an attempt to exploit his immense popularity to generate interest in the sport within Australia. Pathan pointed out the hypocrisy in the way the Australian media has historically celebrated Kohli as a “king” one moment, only to denigrate him as a “clown” the next. He noted that this discrepancy reflects a broader trend in which the media capitalizes on the fame of cricketers while failing to hold their players accountable for similar or worse behavior on the field.
Pathan's statements were particularly noted in relation to the incident in which Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee for shouldering Constas during the game. While admitting that Kohli's actions were indefensible, Pathan asserted that the responsibility ultimately lies with the government. International Cricket Council (ICC) To determine appropriate penalties. He criticized the media for blowing the incident out of proportion, stating that they are using Kohli's image as a scapegoat to sell newspapers and create a buzz around cricket.
“First of all, newspapers and even some former cricketers here show high levels of double standards. One moment, you're praising a man as a king, and the next, when he shows some aggression on the field, you're going to call him a 'clown'? We've never supported What he (Kohli) did, but the referee will do his job, and the necessary action will be taken but he is calling him a joker after all. You are just using him and trying to make cricket famous in the country again but how do you do it? Kohli, we will never accept that.” Pathan said on Star Sports.
also Watch: Tensions rise as Virat Kohli comes close to clashing with Australian fans on day two of the AUS vs IND Test
Sunil Gavaskar calls it a double standard at play
Gavaskar, another cricket legend, echoed Pathan's sentiments during the discussion. He highlighted how the Australian media often adopts a double standard – celebrating aggressive play when displayed by their players but harshly condemning it when it comes from opponents like Kohli. Gavaskar pointed out that the media is behaving like Australia's “twelfth man”, targeting players who pose major challenges to their dominance in cricket. His comments highlight long-standing frustration among Indian cricketers regarding how they are portrayed compared to their Australian counterparts.
“This is old news. It's always “if we do that, it's okay, if we do that, it's a crime.”' concluded Gavaskar.
Gavaskar also recounted his own experiences with the Australian media, recalling how he faced intense scrutiny during his playing days. He stressed that while aggression is often celebrated in Australian cricket culture, it becomes a point of contention when it is directed at players. This selective outrage further complicates debates about sportsmanship and fair play in cricket.
Here is the video:
🗣 @Irfan Pathan Pathan does not back down, he calls out #Australian Media about the Kohli Constas incident 🫣#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 Test 4, Day 2 is live now! | #The toughest competition #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/S26P7Oq3b0
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2024
Virat Kohli has faced off-field challenges related to invasion of privacy
The scrutiny Kohli faces extends beyond the field. He recently had an altercation with Australian media at an airport, as they tried to photograph him alongside his family. This incident has sparked further discussions about the invasion of privacy faced by high-profile athletes, especially when they are vocal about their desire to protect their families' 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 and public expectations.
