AN EPISODE that would have led to a massive flare-up and tensions between two teams has been dealt with fine maturity in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series. Both India and Australia deserve praise for wisely handling an unnecessary diversion caused by the shoulder-barge by Virat Kohli to Sam Konstas. The young Australian debutant was in the firing line of the Indian great’s unprovoked and poor aggression as Kohli rammed into him mid-pitch with a clear intention of provoking Konstas. The opener had done enough to leave the Indians livid with his gutsy batting but he would have never expected such a ridiculous response from a legend of the game. It was a case of misplaced aggression from a player who is supposed to be the ambassador of Indian cricket but always is tripped by his haughtiness at vulnerable moments. In hindsight, the 20 per cent cut in match fee announced by referee Andy Pycroft seems a simple tap on the knuckles of a bully who deserved to be shunned out of the school. Kohli lost only Rs 3 lakh of the Rs 15 lakh match fee but the impression he took from the ugly episode would definitely haunt him as he enters the evening of his glittering career.

 

The outrage directed at the former Indian captain is right for once despite the lame attempts of his PR team digging out old shots of brash Australian behaviour. It was never an act of negligence from Kohli, as the ICC statement liked to put it after delivering the timid verdict. The barge was totally intentional, thought of at the spur of the moment with the only intention of breaking Konstas' concentration. If this is being termed as part and parcel of the game by Kohli’s backers, then they must shift to some other sports. Cricket, especially Indian cricket, has no place for insensitivity and bullying for no cause. Repaying aggression with the bat or ball is the actual way of giving it back to your opponents. Being physical with a player is a sign of a weak mind, gobbled by inner demons. Unfortunately, despite a long and fine journey in the international arena, Kohli is still prone to such unguarded moments.

 

It was a prominent feature of his personality in the younger days as the rebel in Kohli was ready to take on booing fans and also settle scores with sports journalists in full public view. In the later years, captaincy, marriage and fatherhood seemed to have tempered him but the Konstas incident shows there is some grudge that still remains to be taken care of. The earlier Kohli resolves the inner fight the better it will be for him and his career. Such a supreme talent with the bat and an epitome of fitness cannot fall to a few moments of madness. If it was a tactic in the team’s interest to unsettle Konstas, then Team India would do well to keep such strategies away. Kohli should be thankful to his stars that the episode has been dialled down by the teams. He must find legitimate ways of showing aggression.