Virat Kohli is a polarizing figure in world cricket, but he is the king of most in India. In the gentleman’s game, he was never gentle in expressing himself neither with his bat nor while speaking. On Saturday, he said, “Everything has to come to a halt at some stage, and for me, as India’s Test captain, it is now,” he said, ending a seven-year tenure full of controversies.
“I cannot explain the job satisfaction you get when you do well in Test cricket,” Virat Kohli said in 2018. He took the reins of the team in 2014 in Australia, a place where the Men in Blue have traditionally struggled. Under his leadership, Team India took a journey where they reached the number one position and became a force to be reckoned with. India ranked number one in the world for 42 months from 2016 to 2020. He brought India to many people. Above all; First clean sweep in Sri Lanka, whitewash in West Indies, a strong side at home. However, his most important achievement was defeating Australia in 2018/19 in Australia.
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But, like any other journey, it was not all smooth. There were controversies that during these seven years, Kohli troubled himself and his team. Here are some that top the list:
Kohli vs Kumble Saga:
Let us start the list with the incident that compromised the ‘sanctity’ of the Indian dressing room. When Anil Kumble was appointed in 2016, everyone thought that his calm and laid-back approach, coupled with the fiery character of Virat Kohli, would take India to great heights. It was anything else, because this difference in his temperament led to the sacking of Anil Kumble. Kumble expressed surprise when it was pointed out that Kohli had objections to his “style” in his resignation letter.
War of Words with Tim Paine
The 2018-19 tour of Australia is one of the most memorable tours for both India and Virat Kohli. He did what was previously considered unimaginable during this tour, winning a Test series. However, the series was not just about cricket, and had a fair share of controversies as well. One such was the war of words between the captains. According to Time Pain, on the fourth day of the second Test, Kohli got under his skin with his celebration, forcing the Aussies to resort to sledging and mockery. This spread on the next tour as well.
Virat Kohli’s ‘serial offender’ charge against Australia
During the second Test of the India vs Australia series, Australia captain Steve Smith consulted the Australian dressing room for help with the DRS after the umpire upheld Umesh Yadav’s lbw appeal. Even though Smith had to walk back, Kohli was furious. At the end of the match, Smith called it a ‘brain fed’ moment, but Kohli was not taking anything from it. During the press conference, Kohli alleged that the Australian players consulted the dressing room on two separate occasions while batting. Kohli’s words were, “If something is going on for three days, it is not mind boggling.”
DRS controversy during 2021-22 tour of South Africa
The most recent controversy is against the Proteas in the recently completed series. In the third Test, South Africa captain Dean Elgar was given out by on-field umpire Marius Erasmus. However, a review forced Erasmus to change his decision surprisingly. The Indian team was also stunned. Thereafter, Virat Kohli went to the stump mic and took a jibe at broadcaster SuperSport.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp” commentary on James Anderson
On the fourth day of the second Test at Lord’s, Virat Kohli had a heated argument with one of England’s most successful bowlers, James Anderson. In the 17th over, Kohli approached the umpire, asking him to see Anderson’s run-up as the pacer was reportedly running down the pitch. Kohli and Anderson had a heated exchange, with the former telling the tall pacer, “You’re swearing at me again, aren’t you? This ain’t your fu**ing backyard,” Kohli was heard saying to Anderson, who also said something inaudible. After Anderson’s final delivery of the over, Kohli said, “Chirp, chirp, chirp. This is what makes you old. ,
Kohli’s “I don’t think you should stay in India” comment.
In 2018, a cricket lover said in a message to Kohli, “I enjoy watching English and Australian batsmen more than these Indians.” The message also contained words of praise for Kohli. Which didn’t go down too well with Virat, who replied, “I don’t think you should stay in India, move elsewhere. Why are you living in our country and loving other countries? I don’t mind It doesn’t matter that you don’t like me, but I don’t think you should live in our country and like other things. Fix your priorities.”
Later, the then 30-year-old cricketer issued a clarification saying, “I guess trolling is not for me guys, I will live to be trolled! I talked about how “these Indians” were mentioned in the comments,” tweeted Kohli. And that’s it. I am for my freedom of choice. Keep it light and enjoy the festive season.
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