Kohli taunts Australian crowd with sandpaper gesture

Virat Kohli, long recognised for his fiery demeanour on the field, has often maintained a charged and turbulent relationship with cricket fans. His interactions with supporters, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, have frequently provoked strong reactions. In Sydney on Sunday, as India defended a modest target of 162 against Australia, Kohli once again courted controversy, responding to jeers from the Australian crowd with a provocative and unnecessary gesture.

Following the dismissal of Steve Smith, Kohli mimed emptying his pockets – a pointed and disrespectful reference to the notorious "sandpapergate" scandal that shook Australian cricket in 2018. This scandal, involving Cameron Bancroft's use of sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball during a Test match against South Africa, led to severe consequences for Bancroft, then-captain Steve Smith, and vice-captain David Warner. Both Smith and Warner were handed year-long bans from international cricket, with Smith also stripped of the captaincy. Although Smith's leadership ban was lifted in subsequent years, the incident remains a painful chapter in Australian cricket history.

Kohli's actions not only stirred tensions but also reflected poor sportsmanship. His gesture, coming at a sensitive moment in the game, seemed designed to inflame emotions rather than focus on the contest at hand. This incident further strained relations with the Australian crowd, who responded with boos, a reaction that has become a recurring theme in Kohli's matches Down Under.

The 36-year-old's conduct has faced increasing scrutiny throughout the series. In the fourth Test in Melbourne, Kohli sparked outrage with a shoulder barge on Australian debutant Sam Konstas, an incident that resulted in a fine of 20 percent of his match fee. Despite being jeered relentlessly by the Australian crowd, Kohli chose to escalate the tension, urging spectators to boo louder, a move that seemed to prioritise antagonism over professionalism.

Kohli's behaviour during the Sydney Test, where he stepped in as captain following Jasprit Bumrah's injury, has done little to repair his reputation. Bumrah, who suffered a back spasm on Day 2 and was subsequently taken for scans, managed to bat in India's second innings but could not participate in Australia's chase. Kohli's antics during this critical match detracted from the game and undermined the spirit of cricket, a sport that prides itself on respect and integrity.

While Kohli's passion and determination on the field are commendable, his recent actions reflect poorly on his role as a leader and ambassador of the game. Provocation and unsporting conduct have no place in cricket, and such behaviour only serves to tarnish the legacy of an otherwise exceptional player.