The Australian media has once again targeted Indian batsman Virat Kohli following the recent incident with Australian journalist Nat Ioannidis at Melbourne Airport. Channel Nine's Tony Jones described Virat Kohli as a “bully” and criticized him for “berating” a Channel Seven reporter in the altercation.
On Saturday, Kohli expressed his frustration with film crews outside the arrivals hall at Melbourne Airport when he arrived for the Boxing Day Test. “With my kids, I need some privacy, you can't film without asking me,” he confronted a film crew. He wants privacy when it comes to his family.
“They were doing what we do on a daily basis.” – Tony Jones
Both Channel 7 and Channel 9 have confirmed that the Kohli children were not filmed at Melbourne Airport. Tony Jones, whose teammate Nat Ioannidis was present, criticized Kohli's actions. Jones explained that reporters were simply doing their job by taking snapshots of public figures.
“Nat was there with a photographer, and the Channel 7 reporter was there with his photographer and they were basically doing what we do on a daily basis, which is being at the airport getting IDs, whether they were political, whether they were sports IDs or whatever,” Jones said.
“You are nothing but a bully” – Tony Jones on Virat Kohli
Tony Jones said Virat Kohli was upset with the cameras focusing on him. He pointed out how Kohli singled out the female reporter and accused him of bullying someone much younger than him. Jones expressed his frustration with Kohli's treatment of Ioannidis.
“He was upset, because he was Virat Kohli, because the cameras were focused on him.”
“Well duh! You're a batsman, you're a global cricket star, and he resents the fact that the attention is focused on him.”
“What really encouraged me when I saw the footage was that he turned to the three men, the photographers and the Channel 7 reporter, and said ‘You guys are fine, it’s her.’”
“Really? Big strong man, Virat. And then he stood in front of this girl, Nat Ioannidis, who is about five foot five and completely scolded her. You are nothing but a bully, Virat.
Tensions are rising between the Indian team and the Australian media ahead of the Boxing Day Test. During a press conference at the MCG, Ravindra Jadeja responded only in Hindi to questions from Indian journalists.
This left Australian reporters frustrated, as they demanded answers in English. The press conference ended abruptly after just nine minutes. The Indian media team later said the session was exclusive to the traveling Indian media, although Australian journalists claimed they were also invited.
India will take on Australia in the fourth Test of the five-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, December 26. It is worth noting that the Border-Gavaskar series is tied at 1-1.
