Australian media network's Nine Sports reporter Tony Jones has branded Virat Kohli a 'bully' in a scathing assessment following Team India star's fiery exchange at the Melbourne airport ahead of the 4th Test. Jones had also revealed that Kohli had 'berated' the female Australian journalist.
After landing in Melbourne, the cameramen were accused by the 36-year-old of filming his kids without permission and urged them not to do so. Later, Kohli was seen having a conversation with a female journalist, expressing his grievance. Meanwhile, fellow teammate Ravindra Jadeja answered the questions from the Indian journalists on Sunday but walked away when the Aussie reporters were about to ask their questions.
Later, their media manager was heard saying that the Indian team's bus was leaving which is why they had to go.
"He took umbrage, he being Virat Kohli" - Tony Jones
Speaking on 3AW Radio, Jones believes there was nothing to take offence as the cameras were focused on him, given the popularity he holds. He also later suggested that the Indian legend had an issue only with the lady journalist.
"Nat was out there with a cameraman, a Channel 7 reporter was out there with his cameraman and they were doing what we do on a daily basis essentially, and that’s be at the airport to actually get identities, whether they’re politicians, whether they’re sporting identities or whatever. He took umbrage, he being Virat Kohli, to the fact the cameras were focused on him."
"Well duh! You’re a batting superstar, you’re a global superstar in the world of cricket, and he takes umbrage to the fact that the attention is focused on him. What really got my back up when I saw the footage was that he turned around to the three blokes, the two cameramen and the reporter from Channel 7, and said you guys are OK, it’s her. Really? Big tough man, Virat. And then he stood over this girl, Nat Yoannidis, who’s about five foot one, five foot two, and just absolutely berated her. You’re nothing but a bully, Virat."
Kohli, meanwhile, has been struggling for runs in the ongoing five-Test series outside his unbeaten 100 in the second innings in Perth. India and Australia will resume their rivalry in the fourth Test in Melbourne, beginning on December 26.
