Kolkata: By now, it is already an established fact that the Australian media does not like Indian skipper Virat Kohli. While some time back it compared him to animals, it took a step further in having a go at the star batsman when it compared him to the US President, calling him, ” The Donald Trump of world sport.” Kohli has recently been repeatedly targeted by the Australian media for his actions both on and off-the field.
“Virat Kohli has become the Donald Trump of world sport. Just like President Trump, Kohli decided to blame the media as a means of trying to hide the egg smeared right across his face,” stated The Daily Telegraph, an Australian newspaper on Tuesday.
The Australian newspaper also claimed that Kohli had attacked the Aussie skipper, Steve Smith and his team of foul play without providing a proof to support his statement let alone apologising. It also criticised the Indian skipper for continuously faking news.
After the third Test ended in a draw, Kohli at a press conference had alleged that the Australians had tried to disrespect Indian physio Patrick Farhart.
He said, “They (four-five of them) started taking Patrick’s name. I don’t know why. He’s our physio. His job is to treat me. I don’t find the reason behind it. I could not understand. You must ask why they have started taking his name.” And his Aussie counterpart was quick to retaliate when he denied this statement made by Kohli by saying that nobody from his team tried to disrespect Farhart, an Australian. He brushed aside such claims and instead saw this as an attack on him launched by the Indian captain. “It was a bit disappointing. I didn’t actually do anything. Virat was having a go at me saying I was disrespecting Farhart. I was probably the exact opposite,” said Smith.
He however went on to praise the Indian physio saying that it was his efforts which led to Kohli returning to bat after he had injured his right shoulder while fielding. He said, “I think he probably did a pretty terrific job to be able to get Virat back on the field after that shoulder injury. He’s a terrific physio and he obviously does a great job for them.”
The Australian media has been enthusiastic on attacking Kohli. But quite interestingly, it remained silent on Glenn Maxwell’s disreputable behaviour when he mocked Kohli. This only goes to prove the Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar right, after he said that the Aussie media was just an extension of the Australian team’s support staff. Hypocrisy is the word that comes to mind which would aptly describe the Aussie media.
(With inputs from Agencies)