In another heated meeting at SCG, Virat Kohli revived his troubled relationship with the Australian crowd. The Indian maestro, never one to back down from a confrontation, made a bold gesture by referring to the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, sparking sharp reactions from fans.
Virat Kohli taunts the Australian crowd with the sandpaper gesture
The atmosphere at SCG was electric Australia chased down 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 got near the boundary. But Kohli, known for his steadfast spirit, did not let the taunts go unanswered.
after Steve SmithHis dismissal, Kohli's sharp gesture mimicked sandpaper, a direct nod to Australia's darkest cricket scandal. His remarks further stirred the crowd, making it clear that Kohli did not forgive or forget easily.
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https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1875718379253706767
What is the Sandpapergate Incident?
In 2018, the Australian cricket team faced global outrage when Cameron Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball using sandpaper during a Test against South Africa. The scandal led to one-year bans for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
While Smith and Warner have since returned to international cricket, the stain of Sandpapergate remains. Cricket Australia eventually lifted the leadership ban on Smith, but controversy continues to haunt Aussie cricket.
Kohli's story with Australian fans
Kohli's meetings with Australian fans have always been eventful. He is no stranger to abuse and hostile chants, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But instead of being fooled, Kohli often thrives on the enmity of the crowd.
During the fourth Test in Melbourne, Kohli found himself in hot water after a shoulder-butting incident with debutant Sam Konstas. The row led to a fine of 20% on his match fee. However, Kohli's response was anything but false. He asked the crowd to shout louder, showing his opposition.
Kohli comes in as the stand-in captain
The ongoing Sydney Test took another turn when India's regular captain jasprit bumrah suffered a back spasm. Kohli, though not officially the vice-captain, took over the management duties on the third day.
Bumrah's injury came as a blow to India, especially during their chase of Australia. Although he returned to bat briefly in India's second innings, the team had to defend their total without their first-order pace.
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