India's star cricketer Virat Kohli is not having a great run with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy but has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. In the last Test in Melbourne, Kohli was involved in a physical altercation with youngster Sam Konstas.
Kohli was heavily targeted by the Australian media, who even called him a “clown” for his antics. With so much happening around him, former Australia captain Aaron Finch spoke about Kohli's behavior in this series.
Finch spoke about Kohli's shoulder barge with Sam Konstas at the MCG and claimed that the Indian veteran is trying to start a fight by doing such things that can free him from giving his best.
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Virat Kohli 'trying to be antagonistic' – Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch was speaking on the 'Around the Wicket' podcast after India's loss to Australia in Melbourne. Finch spoke about Kohli's behavior and claimed that Kohli tries to be an antagonist to give his best performance.
“Virat (Kohli) is someone who has always thrived under pressure and he has thrived when his back is against the wall. It feels like at this stage he is trying to put his back against the wall,” remarked Finch.
“He's trying to be antagonistic, he's almost trying to pick a fight because that's when he plays when he feels someone is coming at him. That's when he brings out all his skills,” he added.
Virat Kohli was involved in a shoulder barge with Australia's latest debutant Sam Konstas on the first day of the Melbourne Test. After the end of the 10th over, Kohli suddenly appeared to go past Konstas and ram his shoulder into him.
He looked back and both players took a few verbal jabs at each other before non-striker Usman Khawaja had to calm them down. The matter was resolved and Kohli was fined 20% of his match fees.
Aaron Finch on Virat Kohli's knock at the MCG
Talking further about Virat Kohli, Aaron Finch felt that Virat Kohli pushes people towards a fight so that they have the motivation to perform well. He praised Kohli's first knock in Melbourne, in which he was dismissed after being set.
“He seems to be pushing others to make him feel that way and we haven't seen the best of him yet in this series. He looked good in the first half in Melbourne and it looked like he wasn't going to get out. but Australia played well,” said the former Australia opener.
Kohli scored a patient 36 off 86 balls in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. The 36-year-old left the ball exceptionally well at the start of his innings, which made the Australian bowlers work hard. He lost his focus though and eventually slipped the ball behind to be easily caught by Alex Carey.
Virat Kohli's Recent Figures
After his hundred in Perth, Virat Kohli has struggled for runs in this series. India's veteran batsman scored 167 runs in seven innings at an average of 27.83. He has been constantly tested by off-stump balls as the Australian bowlers have insisted on a special plan for him so far.
Kohli has struggled to overcome his weakness and is under immense pressure to perform in Sydney. Not only the ongoing series, Kohli's poor form has continued since India's home Test season where he amassed 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 27.83.