India’s star cricketer Virat Kohli is not having a great run with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy but he has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. In the last Test in Melbourne, Kohli was involved in a physical altercation with youngster Sam Konstas.
Kohli has been heavily attacked by the Australian media, who even called him a “clown” for his antics. With so much happening around him, former Australia captain Aaron Finch opened up about Kohli’s behavior in this series.
Finch spoke about Kohli’s shoulder barge with Sam Konstas at MCG and stated that the Indian veteran is trying to start a fight by doing things that can motivate him to give his best.
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Virat Kohli is ‘trying to be antagonistic’ – Aaron Finch
Aaron Finch spoke on the ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast after India’s loss to Australia in Melbourne. Finch spoke about Kohli’s behavior and stated that Kohli is trying to be an antagonist to give his best performance.
“Virat (Kohli) is someone who has always thrived on pressure and has thrived when his back is against the wall. It just feels like at this stage he is trying to put his own back against the wall,” Finch said.
“He is trying to be antagonistic, he is almost trying to pick a fight because it is when he plays that he feels that someone is coming towards him. That is when he shows all his skills,” he added.
Virat Kohli was involved in a barge with late Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the first day of the Melbourne Test. After the end of the 10th over, Kohli suddenly appeared to walk past Konstas and hit him with his shoulder.
He looked back and both players unleashed some verbal volleys on each other before non-striker Usman Khawaja had to calm them down. The matter was resolved and Kohli was fined 20 per cent of the match fees.
Aaron Finch on Virat Kohli’s knock at MCG
Talking more about Virat Kohli, Aaron Finch felt that Virat Kohli is pushing people to fight so that he has the motivation to perform well. He praised Kohli’s first innings knock in Melbourne, in which he was dismissed after setting up.
“It just feels like he’s putting pressure on other people to make him feel that way and we haven’t seen the best of him yet in this series. He looked beautiful in the first innings in Melbourne and looked like he wasn’t going to come out.” but Australia have played well,” said the former Australia opener.
Kohli scored a patient 36 off 86 balls in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. The 36-year-old left the ball exceptionally well at the start of his innings, making the Australian players work hard. However, he lost concentration and eventually pushed the ball back for Alex Carey to easily catch.
Virat Kohli’s recent numbers
After the hundred in Perth, Virat Kohli has struggled to get runs in this series. The veteran India batsman has scored 167 runs in seven innings at an average of 27.83. Balls outside off stump have constantly tested him as the Australian bowlers have persisted with a particular plan for him so far.
Kohli has struggled to overcome his weakness and is under immense pressure to perform in Sydney. Not just in the ongoing series, Kohli’s poor form has continued since India’s home Test season where he amassed 192 runs in 10 innings at an average of 27.83.