The latest episode which saw Virat Kohli abusing an Indian journalist for a story on him and his girlfriend has revealed the unpolished side of the Indian vice-captain. That it was a case of mistaken identity on part of Kohli has left him further red-faced. Virat Kohli’s abusive rant against the journalist has led to a lot of criticism from some of the former players including his former teammate VVS Laxman.
Sunil Gavaskar
“I just try to see myself in front of the mirror and try to remove from my system all those which bother me and try to be cool under severe pressure. I wish I could be as cool as M S Dhoni or a Laxman. May be a Bjorn Borg (legendary tennis player), so cool under immense pressure,” Sunil Gavaskar told NDTV.
“Media plays an important role. All the stakeholders — the players, administrators, media, fans and then the sponsors, they should work together to take cricket forward. Having said that the media should report as they see, the facts and not what they have heard, not speculative stories,” Gavaskar added.
ALSO SEE: Virat Kohli: India’s Controversy King
Steve Waugh
“The young Indian star is the best batsman across all formats for me, and really has not put a foot wrong since he landed in Australia at the start of our summer. Which is why I wish he would show little maturity when dealing with situations like the one that arose on Tuesday,” Steve Waugh wrote in his column for a national daily.
VVS Laxman
I think that is the mutual way to lay the matter to rest. Kohli can go up to the concerned journalist and say that ‘I mistook you as some other journalist’ Then the matter can be done and dusted,” Laxman said.
“I have never lost my cool except on one occasion and that incident is known to everybody. But that was within the four walls of the dressing room, never in public,” Laxman added.
Brian Lara
“It (relationship with the media) is very tough, never easy. I had run-ins with the media. These things may happen but I think both the parties should move ahead for the good of the game and concentrate on the World Cup,” Brian Lara said.
“I am a West Indian and from the perspective of our team, I hope it distracts the Indian team. Kohli may be either perturbed or get more determined and I hope it (the row) affects him,” Lara said in a lighter vein.
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