Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw Australian fans expressing their displeasure with Virat Kohli after a controversial shoulder bump with debutant Sam Konstas. The incident led to Kohli being heavily booed by the crowd, a rare sight for a player often revered worldwide. The backlash extended beyond the stands, as Australian media, which had celebrated Kohli’s arrival in November, turned on him, labelling him a “clown” and questioning his professional ethics.
Day 2 brought its own drama, with a pitch invader disrupting play during the 97th over. The individual rushed onto the field, heading straight to India’s slip cordon, where he wrapped an arm around Kohli and showcased an impromptu dance. Security swiftly intervened, escorting him off the field as play resumed with Jasprit Bumrah bowling to Steve Smith.
Intriguingly, the invader was identified as Wen Johnson, the same person who had previously interrupted Kohli and KL Rahul during the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. The tension escalated as Australian fans amplified their hostility, booing Kohli and chanting explicit insults when he was sent to field near the boundary.
Pitch invader huggs Kohli 😭 pic.twitter.com/RAz81zkfWc
— `rR (@ryandesa_7) December 27, 2024
Instead of retaliating as he famously did in 2012 with a middle-finger gesture, Kohli turned the moment into a performance. He encouraged the crowd, gesturing that their jeers weren’t loud enough. This playful interaction only heightened the atmosphere, showcasing Kohli’s unique ability to thrive under pressure. His love-hate relationship with Australia, a hallmark of his career, once again took center stage.
ALSO READ: Sam Konstas Doesn’t Consider Virat Kohli Guilty For The Shoulder Incident
While the media and fans painted him as a villain, such moments have historically driven Kohli to deliver exceptional performances. The question now is whether this criticism will fuel another batting masterclass.
Kohli vs crowd 👀🧐 #AUSvsIND #AUSvIND #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #BGT2025pic.twitter.com/wDfL47mCbT
— VK 18 🐐 (@itsvinay0) December 27, 2024
Meanwhile, India’s bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batters on Day 2. Expectations of a spirited attack fell flat as Mohammed Siraj opened the day with an unremarkable over and was quickly removed from the attack. His later spells, along with those of Akash Deep, lacked the venom needed to challenge the Australian lineup.
ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Sees Shades Of Virender Sehwag In Sam Konstas
Steve Smith capitalized on the lacklustre bowling, crafting his 34th Test century, his second consecutive ton against India. Smith’s masterful innings and a 112-run partnership with Pat Cummins further pushed the visitors into a precarious position.
India’s bowlers must regroup quickly to prevent the match from slipping away entirely. As for Kohli, the days ahead may well determine whether he can turn this storm of criticism into yet another chapter of his legacy against Australia.
