Australia v India Test series 2017: Virat Kohli takes centre stage from Ajinkya Rahane even though he didn’t play

VIRAT Kohli has saved his biggest disgrace for last as he pushed India’s victorious captain off centre stage and declared his ‘friendship’ with the Aussies dead.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane receive the Border-Gavasker Trophy from Sunil Gavaskar.

VIRAT Kohli has saved his biggest disgrace for last as he pushed India’s victorious captain off centre stage and bitterly declared his ‘friendship’ with Australian players dead forever.

Despite being injured, Kohli donned the whites as soon as champagne corks were popping and in an extraordinary display of selfishness strode into the post-match press conference instead of series-winning captain Ajinkya Rahane to claim the glory.

Steve Smith asked Rahane if the teams would gather for a post-series drink and put explosive relations to one side.

The response was “I’ll get back to you”, but it appeared India had flatly denied the request that is considered tradition amongst Test teams.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane receive the Border-Gavasker Trophy from Sunil Gavaskar.

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Earlier in the series Kohli cast himself as the Donald Trump of world sport by branding the Australians systematic cheats and refusing to provide any evidence of his outrageous and damaging claims.

On Tuesday night he only reinforced his reputation as an egomaniac as he tried to write Rahane out of the history books and virtually accuse Australia of being responsible for the ugly breakdown in relations this tour.

In contrast Steve Smith humbly apologised for emotions getting the better of him this series when he misused DRS in Bangalore and was caught mouthing “***ing cheat” at Murali Vijay in Dharamsala.

Kohli’s pre-tour claims that he had friends in the Australian dressing room were tenuous in the first place, but on Tuesday night he declined the opportunity to sign off as a gracious winner and instead wrote Smith and his team off as sworn enemies.

“No, it has changed,” said Kohli of his relationship with the Australians.

“I thought that was the case (we were friends), but it has changed for sure.

“As I said, in the heat of the battle you want to be competitive but I’ve been proven wrong.

IVirat Kohli donned the whites as soon as victory had been sealed.

“The thing I said before the first Test, that has certainly changed and you won’t hear me say that ever again.”

The Australians’ respect for Kohli has nosedived this series.

In Bangalore they were filthy at his “cheat” accusations, but they were just as bemused at the captain racing to snare himself a commemorative stump instead of celebrating the win with teammates.

Kohli, who averaged nine for the series, blew a gasket after getting out in the second Test and smashed a Gatorade bottle so hard in anger it struck an Australian team official.

In Ranchi, he raised eyebrows in the Australian camp again when he stayed off the field for two days before returning when he sensed victory was on the horizon.

On Tuesday his true colours were revealed again, when unfit to play in the match, he stole the limelight from Rahane, in the most glorious moment of his teammate’s career.

His actions were reminiscent of England soccer star John Terry in 2012 when despite being banned from the Champions League final, the Chelsea captain suddenly appeared in full club uniform complete with shin pads to lift the trophy.

Rahane was the mastermind behind the plan to debut left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in Kohli’s place and he smashed the vital runs that got the side over the line on the final day.

Virat Kohli is front row, centre

The respect Australia exhibited for Rahane was leagues away from their silent contempt for Kohli – with Smith walking off the field with his Pune IPL teammate as friends.

Australia has kept silent on Kohli all series, happy for President Trump to do the talking and dig his own grave.

As much as Kohli might like to pretend he won this series – the win he described as the best this Indian team has ever had belongs to Rahane.

Instead of letting Rahane take the stand to receive his deserved praise, Kohli wanted one last chance to spray his critics.

“I’ve heard a very wise person tell me that when a person is down, the weak come out and speak about him,” he said.

“It takes courage to speak about someone when they are on top.

“It’s fine, I was targeted individually and I hadn’t done well in the series.

Virat Kohli was on drinks duties in Dharamsala.

“So opportunities galore for everyone to come out and speak about me.

“When I’ve done well in the past, people have spoken about me.

“When I haven’t done well I obviously expect them to come out and say all sorts of things.

“It’s obviously very easy to sit at home and write a blog or speak behind the mic.

“I think that’s easier than coming out and competing on the field.

“That’s all I have to say about that.”