Former Australian cricketer Kerry O'Keeffe has apologized to Virat Kohli for calling him “arrogant” during the fourth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kerry O'Keeffe criticized Kohli's meeting with Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Virat Kohli has been targeted by the Australian media throughout the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Kohli is in the middle of another controversy following his shoulder barge with Sam Konstas. The former Indian captain was also slammed by Australian legends Ricky Ponting, Mark Waughand others.
Virat Kohli has built his entire career on arrogance – Kerry O'Keeffe
After Kohli's incident with Konstas on Day 1, Kerry O'Keeffe criticized the Indian star, stating that Kohli had “built his entire career on arrogance”. He also added that Kohli could not handle another young player to match his intensity.
“Kohli has built his whole career on arrogance. Kohli has built his whole career on arrogance. All of a sudden he identified that in a debutant and it seemed to piss him off,” O'Keeffe was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Virat Kohli has been charged by the ICC for the shoulder bump with Sam Konstas. The ICC fined Kohli 20% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.12, which addresses “improper physical contact with a player, player support staff, umpire, match referee or any other person (including a spectator during an international match).” Kohli was also given a demerit point and it was his first offense in 24 months.
I want to apologize for calling Virat Kohli's behavior arrogance – Kerry O'Keeffe
The 75-year-old former Australian cricketer realized his mistake and apologized on Day 2 of the Test match. He stated that Kohli has a confident “snap” in his game, but added that Kohli may have reacted negatively. O'Keeffe added that aggressiveness is what makes him a competitive cricketer.
“I want to apologize for calling Virat Kohli's behavior arrogance. I shouldn't have said that. He has a master and plays his cricket like that. I think when he saw another player showing arrogance like him , he got a bit angry and reacted that way. Kohli is a passionate cricketer and his aggression is what makes him a competitive cricketer,” O'Keeffe said.
Australia lead by 310 runs in the first innings against India
Australia, batting first, posted a total of 474 runs. Steve Smith shone with a century (140 runs from 197 balls) and Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) scored half-centuries. Bowler Star peace jasprit bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India, posting figures of 4/99.
India got off to a rough start as they lost Rohit Sharma early (3 off 5 balls). KL Rahul (24 off 43), Virat Kohli (36 off 88) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (82 off 118) got away. At the end of Day 2, India were 164/5, with Ravindra Jadeja (4) and Rishabh Pant (6) at the crease. Team India collapsed from 153/2 to 159/5.