Former Australian cricketers Aaron Finch and Simon Katich made bold statements about Virat Kohli’s on-field antics during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which Australia clinched after beating India in a five-Test series matches with a margin of 3-1. .

Criticizing Kohli for his unnecessary actions on the tour of Australia, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich said the dashing right-hander “overstepped” and “stained his reputation”, especially with his sandpaper taunt to the Australian crowd in the fifth over. and last. Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) last week.

Aaron Finch and Simon Katich criticize Virat Kohli’s controversial behavior on Australia tour

Interestingly, Aaron Finch and Simon Katich shared the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dressing room with Virat Kohli during the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Finch shared the field with the Indian cricket superstar, Katich served as RCB’s head coach in the IPL.

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Well, Virat Kohli had sparked a huge controversy with his on-field antics during India’s recent Test series against Australia, leaving fans and former players divided. Drama unfolded on Boxing Day at the MCG when Kohli shoulder-charged debutant Australian teenager Sam Konstas.

Following this, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit point by the ICC. But the controversy did not end there as the former Indian captain’s actions took another turn during the New Year Test, where he was seen imitating a gesture referencing the infamous ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal.

He has tarnished his reputation on and off the field: Simon Katich

Kohli rummaged in his pockets, looked at his pants and appeared to rub the ball, investigating Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. This provocative behavior did not sit well with several Australian players, including Finch and Katich, who criticized Kohli for crossing the line and even said that the Indian star lost his reputation by doing so.

Katich has expressed concern over Virat Kohli’s behavior on the Australia tour, suggesting his actions have affected his reputation. He acknowledged Kohli’s status as a modern great across formats but questioned his mindset on the tour, saying his actions were unnecessary and tarnished his image.

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Simon Katich said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show: “There is no doubt that he (Kohli) has been a great modern player in all formats. But I think you have to wonder what kind of headspace he’s been in on this tour to do that, to make physical contact in Melbourne and then even the other nasty incident in Sydney with the sandpaper reference there with the pockets. I mean that in itself there was no need for that. “It’s old news, so in some ways I think it’s tarnished his reputation a little bit on this tour, on and off the field.”

Virat Kohli was trying to find something to light a fire in him: Aaron Finch

On the other hand, Aaron Finch believes that Kohli’s behavior during the tour was driven by frustration. The former Australian captain has pointed out that Kohli usually thrives on confrontation but this time he went too far and said he was trying to generate motivation but failed to do so.

Aaron Finch said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket: “It was just a level of frustration. Last week I said that it seemed as if he wanted to find conflict and confrontation; that’s where he usually plays his best cricket. So he went overboard on this tour. The blow, which was above anything I have seen on a field, and then the sandpaper, unnecessary. But overall, I think he was trying to find something to light a fire in himself, but it just wasn’t up to the task.”