Virat Kohli Faces Backlash from Australian Media After Melbourne Airport Row

Virat Kohli faced significant criticism from the Australian media and was labeled a 'bully' ahead of India's Boxing Day Test, following an incident at Melbourne Airport. The former India captain was involved in a heated argument with a reporter and a cameraperson, which sparked the backlash.

The incident occurred last Thursday when Kohli arrived at Melbourne airport with his family. Since landing in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli and his family have been the center of attention with their filming at the airport upsetting the Indian cricketer.

Although the incident was settled at the time, Kohli received no mercy from Nine Sports reporter Tony Jones, who accused him of 'berating' the Channel 7 reporter at Melbourne airport.

Jones said on radio channel, stated, “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,” he added.

Further, Jones stated, "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," he added.

Virat Kohli's form in BGT 2024-25

Kohli's batting form has come under the scanner in the course of BGT. He has batted in five innings thus far Down Under and managed a total of 126 runs, with a hundred scored in Perth.

It has perhaps exposed Kohli at his weakest point-the Australian bowlers have probably brought to light that he succumbs against balls pitched outside the off-stump. With just two Tests remaining in the series-an exciting 1-1-so far, he shall be part of the battle defining team key players to ensure the title is retained at their end in this match or the next. India won the first Test, Australia the second, and the last Test was a draw in Brisbane.