November 21, 2024

The smoke coming out of the ears of the ‘respected’ correspondents and officials of Cricket Australia is all too visible. The Daily Telegraph in Sydney called Virat Kohli a “child” and an “egomaniac” for refusing to move on after the acrimonious series came to an end. Since Steve Smith apologized for calling Murali Vijay “a f****** cheat,” the Australians think they have the patent on good behavior. Things hurt people in different ways. Smith called Vijay a “cheat” without provocation. He said sorry when he realized his mistake. Kohli thought Australian players were his friends before the start of the series. But everything – including character assassination – that the Australian media did and the gravest of provocation on field by the players made him change his mind at the end of the series. Was it the right time to drink a round of beer with them? It might be a custom in Australia to move on over a beer, but Indians have deeper feelings. When Kohli felt stabbed in the back by those he considered his friends, he was absolutely right in refusing to show forced bonhomie. The Australians, given to their maverick ways of instigating the opposition, playing dirty and then showing empathy by asking for drinking beer together, might think it to be perfectly acceptable behavior. It is not acceptable in India when someone feels hurt and angered at being let down by friends and he is not considered childish or egomaniac when he refuses to have a drink with them.

The chairman of Cricket Australia, David Peever, said that "cricket at this level is highly competitive, and it is incumbent on all involved, players and administrators, to honour the protocols and standards of behaviour that underpin the spirit of cricket." He was also profuse in praising his captain Steve Smith for his “honesty and gracious comments at the end” and said that Smith “displayed qualities that Australians expect from their Test captain.” Very politically correct words those. But where was Peever when Smith was repeatedly looking in the direction of the dressing room before deciding on DRS? Where was he when Australian players were sledging and otherwise playing dirty? Did he feel that the Australians were honouring the protocols and standards of cricket by indulging in such underhand tactics? No, Mr Peever, Smith and his team did not honour the high standards of the game throughout the series. If this is what the Australians expect from their Test captain, then they have no right to criticize Virat Kohli. Kohli did what is perfectly acceptable in India – showing the Australians their place by refusing to kiss and make up at the end of the series. Virat Kohli and his team have not moved on and the Australians should remember this. And finally, Kohli very well knows how to spell sorry (and so do more Indians than Australians), but will not say it as he was not in the wrong.