Australian media has once again targeted Indian batsman Virat Kohli following a recent incident with Australian female journalist Nat Yoannidis at Melbourne airport. Channel Nine's Tony Jones described Virat Kohli as a “bully” and criticized him for “reprimanding” the Channel 7 reporter in the altercation.
On Saturday, Kohli vented his frustration at film crews outside the Melbourne airport arrivals lounge as he arrived for the Boxing Day Test. He confronted a camera crew, stating: “With my kids, I need some privacy, you can't film without asking me.” He wants privacy when it comes to his family.
“They were doing what we do every day” – Tony Jones
Both Channel 7 and Channel 9 confirmed that Kohli's children were not filmed at Melbourne airport. Tony Jones, whose colleague Nat Yoannidis was present, criticized Kohli's actions. Jones explained that the reporters were simply doing their job recording images of public figures.
“Nat was there with a cameraman, a reporter from Channel 7 was there with his cameraman and they were doing what we do on a daily basis, essentially, and that was at the airport to get identities, whether they were politicians or identities sports or whatever,” Jones said.
'You are nothing but a bully' – Tony Jones on Virat Kohli
Tony Jones said that Virat Kohli was upset that the cameras were focused on him. He pointed out how Kohli singled out the reporter, accusing him of assaulting someone much smaller than him. Jones expressed his frustration with Kohli's handling of Yoannidis.
“He was overshadowed, being Virat Kohli, by the fact that the cameras were on him.”
“Well duh! You're a batting superstar, you're a global superstar in the world of cricket and it's overshadowed by the fact that the focus is on him.”
“What really encouraged me when I saw the footage was that she turned to the three guys, the two cameramen and the Channel 7 reporter and said you're all right, she is.”
“Serious? Big tough man, Virat. And then he stood over this girl, Nat Yoannidis, who's about five-foot-one, five-foot-two, and he just absolutely scolded her. You are nothing but a bully, Virat.”
Tensions between the Indian team and the Australian media are rising ahead of the Boxing Day Test. During a press conference at the MCG, Ravindra Jadeja answered questions from Indian journalists only in Hindi.
This left Australian reporters frustrated as they demanded answers in English. The press conference ended abruptly after just nine minutes. India's media team later said the session was exclusive to the roving Indian media, despite Australian journalists claiming they were also invited.
India will take on Australia in the fourth Test of the five-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, December 26. It should be noted that the Border-Gavaskar series is tied 1-1.