The Australian media's portrayal of Virat Kohli has recently shifted from admiration to criticism, particularly following his on-field altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test. This incident has led to a series of critical articles and headlines targeting Kohli's behavior

The West Australian newspaper made waves during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 with a controversial back-page headline targeting Virat Kohli. Titled "Clown Kohli", the headline featured an edited image of Kohli with a clown nose, mocking the Indian star cricketer.

The back page of tomorrow’s The West Australian. 🤡🤡🤡@westaustralian @TheWestSport pic.twitter.com/3BaiB3SOQi

— Jakeb Waddell (@JakebWaddell) December 26, 2024

On Day 1 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, Kohli had a tense moment with 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas. This exchange drew criticism from several former players, who felt his actions on the field were out of line. Following the incident, the back page of The West Australian newspaper has gone viral, featuring a mocking headline referring to Kohli as 'Clown Kohli' alongside a photo of him with a clown nose. They also claimed Kohli 'escaped' a ban that could have sidelined him for the final Test of the series.

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So what happened between Kohli and Konstas?

During the opening day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, the two players collided while moving across the pitch after the 10th over. It looked as if Kohli may have deliberately changed his path to bump into Konstas, leading to heavy criticism from former cricketers who deemed it unnecessary. While it’s unclear if this was intentional, the incident has sparked a lively debate on social media, with fans split on what to make of the shoulder bump between Kohli and Konstas in this series.

#AUSvIND #konstas & #Kohli collide into each other on the pitch. Look like, Kohli went for it deliberatelypic.twitter.com/6QAHUDZfWH

— Umair Javed (@umairjaved1591) December 26, 2024

Early Admiration and Praise

In the early stages of his career, Virat Kohli’s aggressive batting style and competitive spirit drew admiration from Australian cricket commentators and journalists. His fearless approach and ability to thrive under pressure were seen as qualities synonymous with Australia’s own cricketing ethos.

For example, during a memorable series in Mohali, Kohli delivered a thrilling performance that left even the Australian commentators in awe, despite the fact that it posed a significant challenge to their team. His innings were often described as a masterclass in controlled aggression, showcasing his knack for seizing the moment in high-stakes encounters.

This admiration laid the foundation for Kohli’s reputation as a cricketer who could match Australia’s intensity and mindset, earning respect from both fans and critics alike.

Virat Kohli received a welcome befitting a king from the Australian media—but why only him? And will this be his final tour of Australia? Find out in today's #Aakashvani 👇 https://t.co/oWNltEPayM pic.twitter.com/eJ8VmBa0tw

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 15, 2024