Star Indian batter Virat Kohli recently found himself at the centre of a heated controversy following a verbal altercation with a female journalist at Melbourne Airport. The incident has sparked divided opinions, with some lauding Kohli for safeguarding his family’s privacy, while others criticized him for allegedly overstepping boundaries.
The altercation occurred as Kohli, accompanied by his wife Anushka Sharma and their children, arrived in Melbourne ahead of the iconic Boxing Day Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). At the airport, journalist Nat Yoannidis was reportedly filming Kohli’s family. Uncomfortable with his children being recorded, Kohli requested Yoannidis to delete the footage.
While he allowed videos and photos of himself to remain, he insisted on keeping his children out of public recordings, reiterating his long-standing appeal for privacy when it comes to his family. However, Tony Jones, a reporter from Nine Sports, accused Kohli of crossing the line by berating and intimidating Yoannidis. In a fiery critique, Jones called Kohli a “bully,” alleging that he singled out the journalist in a hostile manner.
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“Nat was out there with a cameraman doing what we do daily—filming public figures like politicians or athletes. Kohli, being the global cricket superstar he is, took umbrage at the cameras. But what got to me was his behavior. He turned to the two male cameramen and said, ‘You guys are fine; it’s her.’ Then he stood over Nat, who’s barely five foot two, and berated her. Big tough guy, Virat. You’re nothing but a bully,” Jones stated, as quoted by News18.
“You’re nothing but a bully, Virat”
– Tony Jones, 9 Sports Reporter from Australia lashes out at Virat Kohli after the Melbourne airport incident.pic.twitter.com/hMes2RQBKb
— Kanav Bali (@Concussion__Sub) December 22, 2024
The incident has since sparked a broader conversation about the balance between celebrity privacy and public interest, with many supporting Kohli’s right to protect his children while others questioned his approach.
Adding to the tension, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja faced criticism the following day for addressing a press conference in Hindi. After nine minutes of fielding questions in his native language, the session was cut short due to time constraints, leaving some Australian journalists frustrated. Channel 7 labelled the situation as “annoying,” claiming Jadeja refused to answer questions in English.
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In response, India’s media manager clarified that the press interaction was brief due to scheduling commitments, countering accusations of intentional avoidance. The controversy underscores the cultural and media challenges that often accompany high-profile international tours.
