Australia v India: Tensions boil as Virat Kohli sprays Tim Paine
Petulant Indian captain Virat Kohli spat the dummy in Perth on Sunday night as he became embroiled in an explosive slanging match with counterpart Tim Paine.
Petulant Indian captain Virat Kohli spat the dummy in Perth on Sunday night as he became embroiled in an explosive slanging match with counterpart Tim Paine.
Tensions have flown off the handle again between Australia and India in a delicately poised thriller following an old Monkeygate scar being ripped open and the hugely controversial claimed catch dismissal of a fuming Kohli.
In the last over of a drama-filled day three, Kohli’s animated appeal for a caught behind was met by a strong rebuttal by Paine who appeared to say after the ball struck his thigh pad, “It’s got to hit my bat first, big head.”
As the pair walked from the field, Kohli appeared to be shouting at Paine and clapping mockingly in his direction before having a heated exchange with his own officials.
Post-match frustrated Australian coach Justin Langer described Kohli's carry-on on SEN radio as "white noise."
Earlier when Shaun Marsh was out meekly for 5, Kohli appeared to unleash a vitriolic tirade in the direction of the crowd, gesturing and screaming wildly, before Peter Handscomb’s dismissal was also met with wild animation.
Usman Khawaja (41 not out) was outstanding in steering Australia to 4-132 at stumps with Aaron Finch hopeful of returning to try bolster the lead of 175 after being cleared of a finger fracture.
Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh and Travis Head fell meekly to put Australia under the pump in their bid to send the series to Boxing Day at the MCG 1-1, with a pulsating finish beckoning in a Test match that’s almost impossible to pick.
Kohli was picked up by stump mics consistently abusing Australian players in Hindi.
It’s understood Australia were less than impressed with the double-standards of Kohli’s behaviour compared to the condemnation of their own on-field approach this year, however, Nathan Lyon refused to be drawn.
“We thought it was out so the conversation was, great catch,” said five-wicket hero Lyon.
“Virat Kohli is a great player. He plays on emotion, we all know that. To be honest, I’m not really concerned how Virat reacts or the way he conducts himself.”
Two nations were divided last night with Indian fans adamant Peter Handscomb’s claimed catch of Kohli on day three – potentially the turning point of the second Test – brushed blades of grass as it nestled in his fingers.
Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah admitted post-match that India were “surprised” on-field umpires gave Kohli out for 123 at an absolutely critical stage of the game.
Kohli was filthy as he stormed from the field, refusing to acknowledge the crowd despite applause for his epic ton, and then he became increasingly hostile as he took to the field with Australia 43 in front at the change of innings.
"His energy is always very infectious on the team because he's always looking to push forward, he's always motivating the team," said Bumrah.
"It's great to have a leader like that."
Wounds also resurfaced from the past with former Indian star Harbhajan Singh hitting back at a claim made by Andrew Symonds in a Fox Cricket special to air on Monday night, that he broke down in tears when he apologised for allegedly calling him a “monkey” during the 2008 SCG Test.
On a day of high drama in the Wild West, Finch escaped a major injury scare, while fellow opener Marcus Harris was struck on the helmet by a vicious bouncer and batted on only to spectacularly leave a Bumrah ball that came back to take his off-stump.
On Monday the dramatic Kohli flashpoint revisited one of the powderkeg moments of the infamous Monkeygate affair, when Clarke claimed a contentious catch off Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who refused to budge from his crease
Test great Mike Hussey said on Fox Cricket that while he was adamant Handscomb managed to get his fingers underneath the ball, he felt the gap between the slip fielder’s fingers meant that some part of the ball “was probably touching the ground.”
Ricky Ponting and other commentators had no doubt Handscomb was in the right.
WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN ??? BROKE DOWN ???? WHAT FOR ??? Harbhajan broke down when apologising for 'monkeygate' - Symondshttps://t.co/eQFeETVChy
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 16, 2018
It wasn’t the only dramatic Monkeygate flashback of the day, as an outraged Harbhajan took to twitter to deny Symonds’ recollections of an emotional apology in a Fox Cricket special called Monkey Gate – 10 Years On to air on Monday night after play.
“WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN??? BROKE DOWN???? WHAT FOR???” wrote Harbhajan.
Re-live all the day three action in our blog below.
Originally published as Australia v India: Tensions boil as Virat Kohli sprays Tim Paine
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