Virat Kohli mocks Australian crowd at SCG with sandpaper gesture

In another intense encounter at the SCG, Virat Kohli rekindled his tumultuous relationship with the Australian public. The Indian maestro, who never backs down from confrontation, made a bold gesture in reference to the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, sparking harsh reactions from fans.

Virat Kohli mocks Australian crowd with sandpaper gesture

The atmosphere at the SCG was electric as Australia chased a modest target of 162 runs. With India fighting tooth and nail to defend their total, the crowd was at its best, booing Kohli whenever he played close to the boundary. But Kohli, known for his unbreakable spirit, did not let the jibes go unanswered.

After Steve Smith’s dismissal, Kohli’s pointed gesture mimicked sandpaper, a direct nod to Australia’s darkest cricket scandal. His antics further moved the crowd, making it clear that Kohli was not one to forgive or forget easily.

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What is the Sandpapergate incident?

In 2018, the Australian cricket team faced global outrage when Cameron Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball with sandpaper during a test against South Africa. The scandal led to one-year bans for then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

While Smith and Warner returned to international cricket, the stain of Sandpapergate remains. Cricket Australia eventually lifted Smith’s leadership ban, but controversy continues to plague Australian cricket.

Kohli’s history with Australian fans

Kohli’s meetings with Australian fans have always been eventful. He is no stranger to boos and hostile chants, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But rather than being bewildered, Kohli often feeds off the crowd’s hostility.

During the fourth Test in Melbourne, Kohli found himself in trouble after a shoulder bump with debutant Sam Konstas. The altercation resulted in a fine of 20% of the match fee. However, Kohli’s response was anything but apologetic. He urged the crowd to boo louder, showing his defiance.

Kohli steps in as stand-in captain

The ongoing Sydney Test took another turn when India’s regular captain Jasprit Bumrah suffered a back spasm. Kohli, despite not being the official vice-captain, took over leadership duties on Day 3.

Bumrah’s injury was a huge blow for India, especially during Australia’s chase. Although he returned to bat briefly in India’s second innings, the team had to defend its total without its spearhead pacer.

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