Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on the Australian media’s intense criticism of Virat Kohli ahead of the ongoing Boxing Day Test, attributing the vitriol to Australia’s long-standing struggles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Shastri believes the media’s reaction is born from a sense of desperation, as Australia has not won a Test at the MCG since 2011, and the current series is tied at 1-1.
The controversy surrounding Kohli erupted after an incident on Thursday when he made contact with Australia’s debutant, Sam Konstas while fielding. Though Konstas did not accuse Kohli of any malicious intent, he referred to the Indian star as a “clown” and edited a red ball on Kohli’s nose, mocking him further. The incident seemed to fuel the crowd’s reaction, as MCG locals booed Kohli throughout Friday’s play.
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Shastri, speaking to Star Sports, noted that such behaviour was to be expected in a home country. However, he pointed out that Indian fans should also stand up for their players in similar situations. He attributed the heightened hostility to the Australian team’s lack of success at the MCG in recent years.
“You expect that in a home country. I wish our country would stand up for our players in situations like this in a bigger way,” Ravi Shastri said. He explained that Australia’s desperation is rooted in their 14-year winless streak at the MCG, which has only intensified as the series has progressed. “You’re three matches into the series, the scoreline is 1–1, and you’ve still not won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” he said. “When they get an opportunity to go berserk, they will go berserk.”
Having experienced Australian cricket both as a player and coach, Ravi Shastri remarked that the desperation had been brewing for some time and needed an outlet.
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“It’s built up over a period of time, and it had to come out somewhere,” he said. The incident with Kohli provided just the spark needed for the media and fans to channel their frustrations. He also humorously pointed out the absurdity of the red ball mockery, quipping, “They forgot to paint the seam there—that would have been a ball.”
