Virat Kohli provided all onlookers with a moment to digest during India’s 36-run win against Australia in the World Cup on Sunday.
Steve Smith was sent to ride the boundary during the first inning of the much-anticipated match between the two rivals, and was greeted by an Indian-dominated grandstand that proceeded to boo the disgraced cricketer.
The booing was in reference to Steve Smith’s actions in South Africa last year. Along with David Warner and Cam Bancroft, Smith was banned for a year of cricket due to tampering with the ball.
The incident, named Sandpaper Gate, is clearly still fresh in opposition supporters’ memories; this wasn’t the first time this World Cup where either Warner or Smith were booed.
As the boos echoed around the stadium, Kohli, who was batting at the time, walked towards the grandstand, gestured toward Smith, and made a clapping motion.
After the match, Kohli was asked about his actions.
“I think what happened has happened,” Kohli said in a post-match press conference. “He’s come back, he’s worked hard, he’s playing well for his side now.”
“Just because there are so many Indian fans here, I just didn’t want them to set a bad example, to be honest, because he didn’t do anything to be booed in my opinion.”
“He’s just playing cricket.”
Smith noticed Kohli’s gesture, and during a break in overs, went and shook the Indian skipper’s hand.
Kohli’s actions received plenty of praise from cricket fans and observers on social media, however the continued booing throughout the warm-up games and the tournament itself suggests fans are yet to completely forgive Smith and Warner.
Steve Smith at the Cricket World Cup. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Despite the punishments included a yearlong ban of all Australian-associated cricket and the stripping of Smith’s captaincy, the continued booing, hatred, and continued abuse is arguably the worst punishment.
Sportsmen worldwide are under more scrutiny and pressure now more than ever, and with more attention than ever given toward mental illness, it’s ignorant to think this continued verbal barrage isn’t affecting those targeted.
Now that every man and his dog has access to channels to contact sportsman 24 hours a day, targeted and abusive attacks over social media are easier than ever.
It’s time to leave Smith and Warner’s actions in the past, and to admire them both as cricketers, rather than cheats.
As Kohli said: “If I was in a position where something had happened with me and I had apologised, I accepted it and I came back and still I would get booed, I wouldn’t like it either.”
Pratik
Guest
Please note that there is a big difference between Indian fans in India and fans of Indian origin outside India, and especially those in the UK given the UK-Aus sporting rivalry and banter.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
I'm a one-eyed Australian fan, but I respect Virat Kohli so much. Never have I seen a guy so passionate and competitive on the field, yet so gracious and empathetic off it. Ever since I saw him in his first series in Australia as a youngster, I noted how articulate and grounded he spoke, especially after how raw his celebration was after his maiden test ton. He balances aggression with charm like no other cricketer I've seen, and for that alone Kohli deserves applause.
DTM
Guest
Well said Virat. He is probably the most important player in the world today and has shown excellent leadership. Would be nice to think that Morgan and maybe Root might do the same sometime before the match on 25th (but I doubt it). The booing does not appear to have had a negative effect on Smith and Warner's performances - it is probably just diminishing the spectacle for the non booers in the crowd. I was extremely disappointed when the events occurred in SA and 100% supported the bans by CA. However, these players have served their penalty and should be allowed to resume their careers without having to put up with this purile behaviour from the crowd. As always, the booing says more about the booer than the player.
Peter Warrington
Guest
so every single fan gets to boo them as they haven't had the chance to boo before. right through until there are no more fans to boo, or they retire? booooooooooooooooooo!
Caractacus
Guest
You also have to remember that this is a football country where booing the opposition is part of the game. Smith and Warner were always going to get a bit of stick and tbh most of it is pantomime stuff but hopefully it will ease off because it's not very pleasant and has become boring and pretty pointless.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Entitled much? You've had plenty of time and opportunity to express your outrage. You just want to kick them when they're down big man.
Paul
Roar Guru
sorry Tander, but how is constantly booing a player for an incident that occurred over a year ago, "having their say"? Fans have had plenty of opportunities to express their views through forums like this, through messages to Cricket Australia or even getting in contact through social media with the players themselves. I also don't recall Kohli copping a lot of stick from the fans. Sure there was huge delight when he got out, but I never got the impression the behaviour of Aussie fans descended to anything like what we saw on Sunday night. It's pretty hard to dish it out when your teams getting whacked by Pujara, Kohli or Bumrah.
Neel
Roar Guru
Hehe. Minty. Monty was a funny character though. He apparently had a leak on a bodyguard outside a nightclub.
Neel
Roar Guru
Hehe. Minty Panesar. Monty was one a funny guy. Apparently he pissed on a bodyguard outside a nightclub.
Paul
Roar Guru
Outstanding comments ICF. I just hope those who think this type of behavior is acceptable, tone it down or stop it all together. It does nothing to enhance what has been a very good tournament to date.
JayG
Roar Rookie
I'm wondering if Minty Panesar was a typo or a pun
IndianCricketFan
Guest
Paul, as a fan of cricket from India, I am surprised and none too happy about a predominantly Indian crowd booing Smith. Its just not us. Both Warner and Smith played the IPL in nearly every major city of India and there was not a single occasion where they were heckled. Tbh, many of us have long forgiven and forgotten and just want them to play cricket since we believe world cricket is better with them present. Virat put our views across when he did what he did. I think it might be British influence of the British Indians in the crowd that had then booing. A large part of it is also a herd mentality - they are booing because everybody else is and they think it is fun regardless of the impact it might have on a player. In my opinion, continuing to beat a man up when he is down and trying to get up is petty and childish.
Tander
Guest
Paul to me its a case of the fans finally getting their chance to have their say. At no time thruout the whole process from sandpaper to suspension does the fan actually get any say and after all this is done and the player is back in the public eye, then us fans get to show our feelings. I do wonder if Smith will return the favour when Kohli is in Aus nest time as he copped a fair bit over the last tour
Ouch
Roar Rookie
the continued booing throughout the warm-up games and the tournament itself suggests fans are yet to completely forgive Smith and Warner. The booing from the English fans has nothing to do with them feeling betrayed or cheated by Smith and Warner. They don't care about ball tampering - they rewarded their ball tamperers with MBE's and treat them as hero's. Minty Panesar has publicly admitted it that systemic ball tampering has been part of Englands set up even after Vaughn and Co first introduced it. The spinner, who featured in the Ashes-winning series in 2009 and 2010-11 said he also used the zip on his trousers to rough up the ball and admits his actions were probably against the spirit of the game. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/113019192/former-england-spinner-monty-panesar-reveals-side-committed-ball-tampering
Paul
Roar Guru
Kohli's was a fine gesture for sure, Matt and no doubt Smith and the rest of the Australian side appreciated what he did. What it highlights is the ignorance and sheep mentality of crowds. When Smith played IPL in India, he was applauded, almost from ball 1, yet similar Indian fans chose to show their ignorance and arrogance by trying to put him off, through a display that was boring & tasteless. I'll bet not one of these cowards would have guts to go up to him and boo him or make similar disparaging noises. Smith by now should have enough support around him to shrug off that sort of thing, and the runs he made would seem to indicate that. Clearly he'll get more of it in the coming months, so hopefully your wrong about which punishment is worse.