Virat Kohli clashes with reporters at Melbourne airport

Tensions in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remain high, with Virat Kohli clashing with reporters after arriving at Melbourne Airport. ROBERT CRADDOCK reveals why.

Indian legend Virat Kohli has been involved in an angry exchange with reporters after arriving at Melbourne airport for the Boxing Day Test.

Kohli was involved in a sharp exchange of words with a Channel 9 reporter before walking off then turning to add a few more angry words.

Kohli took objection to the cameras filming his family as he was passing through the airport.

“With my kids I need some privacy, you can’t film without asking me,” Kohli said.

The cameras had been there to film local hero Scott Boland who is set to replace injured Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s line-up when reporters noticed Kohli and his family close by.

He spoke at greater length with the reporter before cooler heads eventually prevailed.

The BCCI and the reporter in question have both been contacted for comment.

Virat Kohli at Melbourne Airport. Picture: 7 NEWS Melbourne

Despite scoring a first Test century in Perth Kohli struggled in the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests with Australia now feeling confident that they can bait the hook outside off stump and eventually he will find an edge.

The temperature is rising for the final two Tests with the teams locked at 1-1. If the series is drawn India will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy they have held since 2017.

Meanwhile Indian spin great Ravichandran Ashwin has arrived in Chennai following his shock mid-series retirement.

Ashwin, 38, announced his sudden departure from international cricket at a press conference after play at the Gabba on Wednesday in which he did not field questions.

“I do feel there is bit of punch left in me as a cricketer but I would like to showcase that in club level cricket,” Ashwin said.

“I’ve had a lot of fun, I must say I’ve played with a lot of memories alongside Rohit (Sharma) and several of my other teammates; even though I’ve lot some of them over the last few years. We are the last bunch of ‘OG’s’ (originals) if you can say that … I’ll be marking this as my (last) date playing at the level.

“A big thank you to the Australian cricket team, who have been very fierce competitors; I’ve enjoyed my time playing against them. Thanks for being the journalists that you’ve been, writing good things and writing nasty things on occasions.

“Thank you all, and see you all soon ... I might go on to be involved in the game, because it is a game that has given me everything.”