Dear The West Australian Editorial Team,
I write to you with a heavy heart, not just as an Indian cricket fan, but as someone who has witnessed the zenith of cricket through the career of Virat Kohli. The recent article in your publication, where you referred to Virat Kohli as a ‘clown’ after a moment of on-field banter with debutant Sam Konstas, has not only been hurtful to millions of fans worldwide but also a stark misrepresentation of what Virat Kohli stands for in the world of cricket.
Let me begin by addressing the incident at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Yes, Virat Kohli was involved in a shoulder bump and a verbal exchange with Sam Konstas. The International Cricket Council (ICC) deemed it appropriate to impose a 20% penalty on Virat Kohli for this incident. However, the response from the MCG fans, booing Kohli, and your decision to label him a ‘clown’ in your headline speaks volumes about the narrative you chose to push.
Virat Kohli is not just a cricketer; he is an institution in cricket. With 81 international centuries across all formats, Virat Kohli has redefined what it means to be a batsman. His legacy is not written in the pages of a controversial moment at the MCG but in the annals of cricket history where his name echoes with respect and awe. How dare we reduce this man, who has dedicated his life to the sport, to a mere caricature for a moment’s indiscretion?
The back page of tomorrow’s The West Australian. pic.twitter.com/nWr1AiDI7O
— The West Sport (@TheWestSport) December 27, 2024
During his captaincy, India achieved what many thought was a distant dream. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, India clinched victories in Australia in the 2016-17 series, a testament to his strategic mind and indomitable spirit. Again, in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours, Virat Kohli led India to victories that showcased not just his batting prowess but his ability to inspire and lead a team composed of world-class athletes. These victories were not flukes but the result of Virat Kohli’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Let’s talk numbers, shall we? Virat Kohli has amassed 9166 runs in Test cricket at an average of 47.49, with 30 centuries to his name. These numbers don’t lie; they speak of a player whose consistency and class have rarely been matched. To call such a player a ‘clown’ is not just disrespectful but also a gross underestimation of his contribution to cricket.
Virat Kohli’s journey in cricket has been one of resilience, passion, and an unyielding desire to be the best. He has faced criticism before, been booed by crowds, and yet, his response has always been through his bat, not through words. His performances have silenced critics time and again, proving that his place in cricket history is that of a king, not a clown.
It’s concerning how easily the narrative shifts from celebrating the spirit of the game to demonizing a moment. Cricket, as we all understand, is not just about the runs scored or wickets taken; it’s about the battles fought, the camaraderie shared, and yes, sometimes the heated exchanges that come from the passion of the game. Why should Virat Kohli be singled out for showing that very human side of cricket?
Your headline, “Clown Kohli,” does a disservice not only to Virat Kohli but to the spirit of sports journalism which should strive for balance, respect, and understanding. It’s crucial to remember that every player, regardless of their stature, can have moments of lapse. The focus should be on how they recover, how they perform, and how they contribute to the game’s legacy.
I implore you to reconsider the narrative you choose to broadcast. Virat Kohli’s achievements, his leadership, his influence on Indian and world cricket are monumental. His 81 centuries, his captaincy victories, his enduring test average, and his sheer love for the game are what should define him, not a fleeting moment of banter. Virat Kohli deserves respect, not ridicule. He is a king in the truest sense of the word in cricket, and it’s time we all acknowledge that.
Yours sincerely,
A Concerned Indian Cricket Fan
