Another loss abroad, another Kohli snap
› If you want to create controversy, this is not the right place. I spoke with the match referee and he had no issues with what happened
VIRAT KOHLI, On his aggression
NEWDELHI: Virat Kohli is known to have his guard up in press conferences following losses in overseas Test series. On Monday—after India folded to a 2-0 series defeat in New Zealand—Kohli fielded difficult questions on the team’s performance with sincerity, even saying India “did not deserve to win” and that they were “outclassed and outplayed”.
But then, when a New Zealand journalist turned Kohli’s focus to his behaviour, specifically to the send-off he gave counterpart Kane Williamson after his dismissal, he snapped. “What’s your reaction to your behaviour on the field, swearing at Williamson when he got out, swearing at the crowd. As an Indian captain, don’t you think you should set a better example on the field?” asked the reporter.
“What do you think?” Kohli shot back, looking visibly unhappy at the question. “I asked you the question,” the reporter said, to which Kohli’s response was: “I am asking you the answer.”
“You need to find out an answer and come up with a better question. You can’t come here with half questions and half details of what happened,” added Kohli. “Also, if you want to create controversy, this is not the right place. I spoke with the match referee and he had no issues with what happened.”
This of course wasn’t the first time Kohli adopted an abrasive tone with a journalist in the recent past. Since 2018, India have toured South Africa, England, Australia and New Zealand— countries they traditionally struggle in. And apart from Australia,
where Kohli led India to a historic first series win, he has had an explosive press conference to mark the end of each of those series losses.
At the Oval in 2018, after India lost 4-1, Kohli was asked if coach Ravi Shastri’s statement of ‘best Indian team in 20 years’ ended up putting unnecessary pressure. “We have to believe we are the best side. Why not?” Kohli said, before throwing back the question to the reporter. When he replied he wasn’t sure if the side deserved the tag, Kohli responded. “You’re not sure? That’s your opinion. Thank you.”
Similarly, after India lost the South Africa Test series in Centurion with a match to spare, Kohli took on two journalists. “How much does this loss hurt because you were not able to field your best eleven?” asked an Indian reporter. “What is our best eleven?” Kohli asked. “Had we won this match would you have called it the best eleven?... You’re saying I could’ve played my best eleven, so tell me what my best eleven is.” Soon after, a South African reporter pointed to Kohli’s constant tinkering with the eleven, and he snapped. “How many of those matches you mentioned did I win? 21 wins, 2 losses... I’m here to answer your questions, not fight with you.”