In another fiery showdown at the SCG, Virat Kohli He rekindled his troubled relationship with the Australian public. The Indian maestro, who never backs down from confrontation, made a bold gesture referencing the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, sparking sharp reactions from fans.
Virat Kohli taunts Australian crowds with sandpaper gesture
The atmosphere at the SCG was electric too Australia I chased a modest target of 162 runs. with India Fighting tooth and nail to defend their total, the crowd was at its vocal best, booing Kohli every time he bowled close to the boundary. But Kohli, known for his stubborn spirit, did not let the taunts go unanswered.
after Steve SmithAfter Kohli's dismissal, Kohli's pointed gesture mimicked sandpaper, a direct reference to Australia's darkest cricketing scandal. His antics agitated the audience even more, making it clear that Kohli was not the type to forgive or forget easily.
https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1875718379253706767
What was the Sandpipergate incident?
In 2018, the Australian cricket team faced global outrage when Cameron Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball with sandpaper during a Test against them. South Africa. The scandal led to captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner being suspended for a year. Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
While Smith and Warner have since returned to international cricket, the stigma of Sandpapergate remains. Cricket Australia eventually lifted Smith's driving ban, but controversy continues to haunt Cricket Australia.
Kohli's history with Australian fans
Kohli's encounters with Australian fans were always eventful. He is no stranger to boos and hostile chants, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But instead of being upset, Kohli often feeds off the hostility of the crowd.
During the fourth Test in Melbourne, Kohli found himself in hot water after a shoulder clash with debutant Sam Konstas. The altercation resulted in a 20% fine on the match fee. However, Kohli's response was anything but apologetic. He urged the crowd to boo louder, showing his defiance.
Kohli takes over as stand-in captain
The ongoing Sydney Test took another twist when he was India's regular captain Jasprit Bumrah He had a back spasm. Kohli, though not the official vice-captain, took over captaincy duties on the third day.
Bumrah's injury came as a blow to India, especially during the chase against Australia. Despite returning to bat briefly in India's second innings, the team had to defend its group without the spearhead.
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