Indian star Virat Kohli faced hostility from the Australian crowd during the Boxing Day Test after an altercation with Sam Konstas on day one. The booing increased when Virat Kohli was dismissed and returned to the dressing room in India's first innings on the second day.
The Pat Cummins-led side were bowled out for 474 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday 27 December. Australia's top three bowlers scored half-centuries, while Steve Smith scored his second century of the series. In response, the Rohit Sharma-led team finished the second day's match with a score of 164-5.
Virat Kohli was caught out again in the first innings of the fourth Test
Virat Kohli displayed disciplined batting during his innings on day two. Kohli has avoided shooting outside the stump, something that has bothered him recently. He added 102 runs with youngster Yashavi Jaiswal for the third wicket, steadying the innings after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma (3) and KL Rahul (24).
Kohli looked confident, leaving deliveries and delighting fans with some elegant deliveries and chipping deliveries. However, a misunderstanding between him and Jaiswal led to the latter being run out after 82 off 118 balls. Kohli soon after delivered a wide delivery to wicket-keeper Alex Carey off the bowling of Scott Boland.
Watch: Virat Kohli booed by MCG Crowd after being sacked
The 36-year-old batsman was dismissed after scoring 36 runs off 86 balls including four boundaries. A loud chorus of boos erupted from the MCG crowd as he returned to the dressing room. The hostility intensified when Kohli entered the tunnel, where a spectator made a verbal remark that provoked him.
Kohli turned back to confront the person but was quickly calmed down by an MCG official who put his hand on his shoulder and moved him away from the crowd. Security personnel prevented further escalation, and the incident attracted the attention of Indian fans across online social media platforms.
Take a look at the incident here:
Virat Kohli almost reenacted that incident with a CSK fan at Wankhede 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/35qDBKxuv3
-Barry (@BluntIndianGal) December 27, 2024
That wicket gave us a little chance – Pat Cummins
Speaking after today's match, Pat Cummins praised his team's performance, especially Steve Smith's efforts in the morning session. Cummins was happy to pick up a late wicket to gain an advantage in the game. He pointed out that breaking the 100-point barrier between Kohli and Jaiswal was a decisive turning point.
“Smith was fantastic this morning. It's good to get those late wickets at the end. He sets the game up for us. Yes, I hope I can do that on every ball. It rarely happens, so you take it when it comes. (On his ball),” Cummins said. : “To sack KL Rahul.”
“Really happy with the way I bowled and the rest of the players too. Yeah, that's it. 100-run partnership and they were looking solid. Marsh almost made the breakthrough for us. But yeah, the wicket is within reach at any time. But that wicket gave us a little chance.” I feel like I'm letting everyone down when he's not bowling. Scotty (Boland) has been fantastic every time he's come into the team.
Read also: Watch: Nathan Lyon targets Rohit Sharma sledding KL Rahul with ferocious attack at MCG