Aussies Legends Aaron Finch, Simon Katich Slams Virat Kohli Over Virat Kohli’s Behaviour In Border-Gavaskar Trophy

January 8, 2025: The criticism of Virat Kohli’s behaviour during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has stirred significant debate, with former Australian cricketers Aaron Finch and Simon Katich expressing their disappointment over what they saw as excessive and unsportsmanlike conduct from the Indian captain.

Both Finch and Katich, who have worked closely with Kohli during the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, pointed to specific moments during the series that they felt tarnished Kohli’s reputation. The first notable incident was during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, when Kohli made physical contact with Australian debutant Sam Konstas, an action that resulted in a fine and demerit point from the ICC. Kohli’s actions were seen as an overstep, and the incident raised questions about his mindset on the tour.

Katich was particularly critical, questioning Kohli’s state of mind during the tour, saying, “I think you have to question what sort of headspace he’s been in on this tour to be doing that.” He referred to Kohli’s physical contact in Melbourne and the provocative gesture in Sydney, where Kohli mimicked the ‘sandpaper’ incident by turning out his pockets and rubbing his trousers, which was widely interpreted as a reference to the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Katich argued that such behaviour was unnecessary, especially considering the public and historical context of the ‘sandpaper’ scandal, which had already led to severe consequences for the Australian players involved.

Finch echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Kohli was seeking conflict and confrontation in order to ignite his own competitive fire. He remarked that Kohli’s actions, including the shoulder charge and the ‘sandpaper’ gesture, were “above and beyond anything I’ve seen on a field.” Finch suggested that Kohli’s frustration was evident, but that he had taken it too far in his attempts to get motivated, without being able to back it up with his usual on-field performance.

While Kohli’s on-field conduct came under scrutiny, there were also other incidents that added fuel to the fire. One such moment was the speculation around Jasprit Bumrah’s possible involvement in ball-tampering, when an object fell from his shoe during a broadcast. However, Ravichandran Ashwin swiftly clarified that the object was simply a finger protection pad, putting the rumours to rest.

In the wider context, the series was also marked by concerns over the form of senior Indian batters, particularly Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who both struggled with their performances. Kohli’s struggles, coupled with his on-field antics, left a mixed impression among observers. While some viewed his actions as a reflection of his desire to stand up for his team, others felt that his behaviour crossed the line, especially given his stature as one of the game’s modern greats.

Kohli’s attempt to answer critics was overshadowed by the controversies surrounding his actions. His on-field antics and attempts to play the role of a fiery leader have led to divided opinions, with some feeling that he damaged his reputation in the process.