In Kohli’s own words, before the series he was “really good friends with the Australians”
In the midst of the infamous Bodyline series, England captain Douglas Jardine, who was increasingly getting unpopular, reportedly said he was in Australia to win the Ashes and not friends.
The present Australian team, which lost its four-Test series in India 2-1 on Tuesday in Dharamsala after Ajinkya Rahane led the hosts to an eight-wicket win in fourth Test, might not be as snooty as Jardine, but they too seem to have lost a few friends.
It appears like the the acrimony between Virat Kohli and the Australians will not be kept on the back burner now that the series is over.
In Kohli’s own words, before the series he was “really good friends with the Australians”.
Is it not the case any more?
“No, it has changed,” said Kohli on Tuesday. “I thought that was the case, 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. The thing I said before the first Test, that has certainly changed and you won’t hear me say that ever again.”
Kohli said, “This team, regardless of whether we are on top or not, we speak. We give it right back. We take it very well and we give it back even better.
“This team doesn’t take a backward step from anyone,” Kohli added. This came moments before Steve Smith, Australia Captain, apologised for calling Indian opener Murali Vijay a “f***ing cheat” after his appeal for a catch was turned down.
“I have been very intense and at times I have let my emotions falter a little bit throughout this series and I apologise for that. That’s a big stride for me moving forward and something I can really learn from and continue to grow as an individual and as a leader,” Smith said.
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 "Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane")
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