Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has come under intense scrutiny from Australian media following a heated exchange with a Channel 7 reporter at Melbourne Airport. The incident occurred as Kohli arrived in Melbourne ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
According to reports, Kohli confronted the reporter, Nat Yoannidis, accusing her of filming his children without consent. Kohli expressed his displeasure, stating, “With my kids, I need some privacy. You just can’t film without asking me.” The situation escalated when Kohli appeared to berate Yoannidis, singling her out among other reporters. This confrontation has been widely criticized by Australian media personalities.
Tony Jones, a Channel 9 sports newsreader, labeled Kohli as “a bully” and condemned his actions. Jones remarked, “Despite Kohli’s superstar status, he acted inappropriately by berating Yoannidis and singling her out among other reporters.”
The incident has added to the tensions between the Indian team, Virat Kohli and the Australian media. Earlier, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja faced criticism for refusing to answer reporters’ questions in English during a press conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Jadeja’s decision to respond only in Hindi left Australian journalists frustrated, as they were unable to understand his answers.
These events have sparked discussions about the relationship between international cricketers and the media. While Kohli and players have the right to privacy, especially concerning their families, the manner in which such concerns are addressed has become a point of contention.
Former Australian cricketer Simon Katich suggested that these media controversies could be part of “mind games” ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Katich implied that the Indian team’s interactions with the media might be strategic, aiming to unsettle the Australian side.
As the Boxing Day Test approaches, the focus remains on Kohli and the players’ performances on the field. However, these off-field incidents have added an extra layer of intrigue to the series, highlighting the complex dynamics between athletes and the media.