Virat Kohli taunts Aussie crowd at SCG with sandpaper gesture

In another fiery encounter at the SCG, Virat Kohli rekindled his tumultuous relationship with the Australian crowd. Never one to back down from a confrontation, the Indian maestro made a bold gesture referencing the infamous Sandpapergate scandal, drawing sharp reactions from fans.

Virat Kohli taunts the Australian crowd with a sandpaper gesture

The atmosphere in the SCG was electric like Australia he chased down a modest target of 162 runs. with India fighting tooth and nail to defend his total, the crowd were at their best, booing Kohli every time he got close to the boundary. But Kohli, known for his unyielding spirit, did not let the taunts go unanswered.

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

Also read: “I know who ran away…”, Harbhajan Singh slams allegations against Rohit Sharma amid dressing room controversiesand

"What is that about?"#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/HwNZXhKW1S

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025

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 have since returned to international cricket, the stain of Sandpapergate remains. Cricket Australia eventually lifted Smith’s leadership ban, but the controversy continues to haunt Australian cricket.

Kohli’s story with Australian fans

Kohli’s encounters with Australian fans have always been eventful. He is no stranger to boos and hostile chants, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But instead of being baffled, Kohli often thrives on the crowd’s hostility.

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

Kohli comes in as stand-in captain

The ongoing Sydney Test took another twist when India’s regular captain jasprit bumrah he suffered a spasm in his back. Kohli, despite not being the official vice-captain, took over the leadership duties on Day 3.

Bumrah’s injury was a blow for India, especially during Australia’s chase. Although he batted again briefly in India’s second innings, the team had to defend their total without their spearhead.

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