Virat Kohli, with no fewer than 9,200 Test runs to his credit, was expected to tour England and blast a few more runs to further extend his greatness in the game of cricket. This unfortunately didn't happen as the iconic right hand batter took sudden Test retirment. Kohli's absence in the Test fold will forever be missed, especially on difficult tours such as the England contests that are to begin soon.
A white-ball legend, Virat Kohli has already hit 51 centuries in ODI's, the most ever by any batter in several decades put together. But the great man with the bat hasn't always conducted himself that greatly where it comes to some strange on-field occurrences.
Which have been some of the most dramatic moments on the cricket field that haven't unfortunately led to Virat's best behaviour? Let's find out:
Verbal exchange with England's Jonny Bairstow
While the noted English keeper-batter Bairstow was batting in England during the rescheduled Test match against India during a 2022 game, Kohli, then a prominent figure in test whites, kept coming at the right hander from the slip cauldron.
He was apparently mocking the Englishman. Bairstowalso responded, expectedly, and this led to an unpleasant exchange betwen two cricketing rivals. After the English batter got out, Kohli evidently blew a kiss at him.
This behaviour, totally unncessary, was found to be in the wrong. As it is, the great Indian batter was struggling for runs in that series.
Hitting a chair in anger during an IPL 2021 game
During an important IPL 2021 contest against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kohli, who was frustrated after being dismissed by Jason Holder for a painfully slow 33 off 29 deliveries, lost his cool, albeit on a chair. This happened whilst making his way back to the dugout. So frustated was the popular RCB batter, that his reaction was caught on video and later made ths on social media.
Heated banter with Gautam Gambhir in IPL 2013
In a 2013 incident during a game versus the popular KKR unit, Kohli, then a young batter creating his own destiny with the RCB franchise, was on his way out after being dismissed by Balaji. But as he was out with the KKR bowlers celebrating his wicket, Kohli offered a few words to the opposition.
What the remark was is still unclear but it certainly enraged the then-KKR captain, Gautam Gambhir with the two almost coming close to an alteraction before the clashing duo were separated by their teammates in the middle. This was an incident that could really have escalaed into something bitter and unpleasant.
The incident with Naveen-ul-Haq in IPL 2023
During RCB's 2023 game against Lucknow SuperGiants, who were then very new to the format and the league itself, there was a tense moment between "King Kohli" and young Afghan cricketer, Naveen-ul-Haq. Apparently, Kohli, then captain of the RCB unit, had instructed his bowlers to bowl short intentionally at LSG's tailend batters.
This was noted by Naveen-ul-Haq, who clearly confronted Kohli.
But the incident rose further during the post-match ceremonial handshakes where the battling duo weren't too keen in getting friendly, with LSG coach, Gautam Gambhir, formerly associated with KKR, also getting involved in the tussle.
One edition later, Naveen and Kohli made peace and the animosity was over.
Showing the finger to Australian crowd in 2012
No newcomer to cricket, anywhere, irrespective of the team or the format should be said harsh words to or trolled, which is what one would believe happened with then-newcomer Virat Kohli in the year 2012.
Fielding in the outfield, close to the boundary at the SCG, Kohli was repeatedly subjected to unpleasant words and rancour from the crowd in Australia. The frustration led to a feeling of humiliation of sorts for the newcomer in the Indian team, as a result of which, he actually showed the crowd the finger. While that gesture was utterly incorrect, Kohli, later on, also explained his situation to match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who was about to ban him
