Former Australian cricketers Aaron Finch and Simon Katich have made bold statements regarding Virat Kohli's on-field tragedy during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which Australia won after defeating India in a series of five-match Tests by a margin of 3-1. .
Criticizing Kohli for his unnecessary actions in the Australia tour, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich said the dashing right-hander had gone “over the top” and “tarnished his reputation”, particularly with his sandpaper noise against the Australian crowd in the fifth over and the last one. Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) last week.
Aaron Finch and Simon Katich criticize Virat Kohli's controversial behavior in Australia tour
Interestingly, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich both shared the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dressing room with Virat Kohli during the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Finch shared the field with the Indian cricket superstar, Katich served as RCB's head coach in the IPL.
Well, Virat Kohli sparked a major controversy with his on-field antics during India's recent Test series against Australia, leaving fans and former players divided. The drama unfolded on Boxing Day at the MCG when Kohli shouldered Australian teenage debutant Sam Konstas.
After this, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit point by the ICC. But the controversy did not end there as the former Indian captain's actions took another turn during the New Year Test where he was seen mimicking a gesture related to the infamous 'Sandpapergate' scandal.
Tarnished his reputation both on and off the field: Simon Katich
Kohli turned his pockets inside out, looked down at his pants and appeared to rub the ball, probing Australia's 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. This provocative behavior did not sit well with several Australian players, including Finch and Katich, who criticized Kohli for crossing the line and even said that the India star had lost his reputation by doing so.
Katich has expressed concern over Virat Kohli's behavior in the Australia tour, suggesting that his actions have damaged his reputation. He acknowledged Kohli's status as a modern great in all formats but questioned his mentality on the tour, saying his actions were unnecessary and tarnished his image.
Simon Katich said on ESPN's Around the Wicket show: “There is no doubt that he (Kohli) was a modern great of the game in all formats. But I think you have to wonder what kind of headspace he was in on this tour to do that, taking physical contact in Melbourne and then even the other nasty incident in Sydney with the sandpaper reference there with the pockets. I mean that in itself—there was no need for that. It's old news, so in a way I think he's tarnished his reputation in a way in this tournament, on and off the field.”
Virat Kohli was trying to find something to light a fire in him: Aaron Finch
On the other hand, Aaron Finch believes that Kohli's behavior during the tour was driven by frustration. The former Australian skipper pointed out that Kohli often thrives on confrontation but this time he went too far, saying he was trying to spark motivation but failed to deliver.
Aaron Finch said on ESPN's Around the Wicket: “It was just a level of frustration. I said last week that he seemed to want to find conflict and confrontation – that's where he generally plays his best cricket. So he just overdid it in this tournament. The bump, which was above and beyond anything I've seen in a field, and then sandpaper, useless. But overall, I think he was trying to find something to light a fire of his own, but it just wasn't up to it.”