Perth: Commentator and former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed his displeasure with the way Virat Kohli carries himself on the field at times. He further added that Kohli's antics and behaviour would not be acceptable as much had it not been for his remarkable skill and achievements both as a batsman and as a captain.
The topic was discussed after the morning session on the fourth day of the second Test between India and Australia at Perth. In the first session, Kohli and Australia captain Tim Paine had a near coming together with the Indian skipper standing in his compatriots way as he tried to complete a run. Thereafter, both skippers took shots at each other needing umpire's intervention.
Manjrekar, pundit for Sony Six was asked to comment on the issue at the lunch-time break and said "…that last gesture, Virat Kohli coming in the way of Tim Paine, that was completely uncalled for."
"Actually, what if Kohli was not a such a great player getting all the runs that he does — some of his antics and behaviour on the field would have created quite a bit of stir and got lot more criticism. It's just that he is such a champion batsman, people are sort of accepting that."
Manjrekar also believes that Indians have been the aggressors in the series so far.
"In this Test match, in this series so far, the guy who has been most aggravated on the field on both sides has been the Indian captain.
"He can get runs despite having this kind of approach to cricket," he said.
Former Mumbai batsman noted that Kohli gets away with a lot because of the 'brand' that he has built of being an animated person who celebrates wickets by sometimes going over the top with the expressions.
"For example, I mentioned Virat Kohli, the brand and that's why he gets away with a lot of things.
"Lot of people haven't talked about his reaction after he was given out (on Sunday). Any other player — low profile name — I am sure would have got some kind of a warning from the referee."