Why Did Australian Media Refer to Virat Kohli as a Clown and ‘Sook’?

Media houses in Australia went all out to blast Indian batter Virat Kohli after his confrontation with Aussie Sam Konstas. It was a day to forget for Kohli during Day 1 of the 4th Test at the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024/25. On-field troubles coupled by an orchestrated media attack ensured the talismanic batter had a tough time in Australia.

Let’s see why Australian media decided to insult Virat and other details about the cricketer’s journey in internationals so far.

Australian Media INSULTS Virat Kohli, Labels Him ‘Clown’

Kohli bumped into Sam Konstas as the Aussie was set to exit play after facing the final ball in a closed over. A heated exchange ensued and needed intervention from umpires and players before normalcy was restored.

Australian media interpreted Kohli’s challenge of Sam Konstas as something a sook (coward) would do. The West Australian took their reporting to a never-before-seen level by choosing to add a clown’s nose onto Kohli’s face as their choice back-page photo.

Notable Incidents Involving Virat Kohli in Recent Years

Kohli’s confrontation of Konstas isn’t the first time he’s been in the media spotlight for wrong reasons. Let’s check out some notable times that made Kohli a soft target for many media houses worldwide.

January 2022 vs Umpires

Kohli was heard on the stump microphone during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in 2022. He was criticizing broadcasters after a controversial DRS decision went against India. Kohli accused the media of bias, a defence that didn’t sit well with umpires during this match.

August 2014 vs Ben Stokes

Kohli engaged in a heated exchange with English cricketer Ben Stokes during the IND vs ENG 2014 ODI series. Umpires had to intervene to calm the situation after Kohli’s bust-up with the English pacer.

He (Kohli) was dismissed in the 26th over by Stokes’ bowling while India needed to chase England’s target. The Indian batter gestured with his bat, raising it for seconds towards the Englishman. There are claims that Stokes provoked Kohli to get such a response, but the matter never got escalated after that confrontation.

Lowest Averages for a Top-Order Indian Batter in a Calendar Year in Internationals

Kohli achieved an unwanted record before the media attack on his performance took centre stage. India’s former golden boy joined other top names like Sanjay Manjrekar and Rohit Sharma in the all-time rankings of top-order players with lowest averages in a calendar year across internationals.

His horrible 21.83 outing across internationals points to Kohli’s waning form and impending exit from India’s cricket lineups.

Ravi Shastri Backs Virat Kohli to Bounce Back

Former Team India cricketer Ravi Shastri urged Kohli to not bother about criticism as he aims to bounce back:

“Forget everything else. Jo bhi log keh rahe hai vo bhuul jaao, vo bhaad mein gaya (Whatever people say, forget it, all that can go to hell),” Shastri told Star Sports.

The veteran continued with words of encouragement, citing the potential for Kohli to hit big performances in coming years across internationals:

“Bat how you have been doing because your purple patch will come. Discipline is discipline. Leave the balls outside off, make Australia bowl to your body, show patience, show discipline. A lot of runs will come. I am saying Virat Kohli will score a ton of runs in the next two to three years if he takes this approach.”

Kohli’s Poor Form Evident in One of His Worst Batting Seasons Ever

Virat has not been in such horrible international form since 2022 where he could only secure 265 runs throughout a calendar year. Kohli’s underwhelming form mirrors his performances in 2011 (202 runs) and 2020 (116 runs).