With the internet divided about Indian skipper Virat Kohli's on-field behavior in the ongoing Test series against Australia, ex-Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has jumped to Kohli's defence.
Sunil Gavaskar and Naseeruddin Shah are two of the biggest names that have come forward to express their disappointment with the 30-year-old cricketer. Naseeruddin called Kohli 'the world's worst behaved player'.
The legendary Allan Border had also backed Kohli's acts suggesting they are driven out of his passion for the game. Aussie skipper Tim Paine also said that he did not find anything wrong with his approach.
Akhtar who spoke on the same lines as Border, said that Virat's aggression is a result of his competitive nature which is more visible especially in a series like India-Australia.
“@imVkohli is one of the modern greats of the game. Aggression has been a part & parcel of competitive cricket, especially when you are playing Down Under as long as it stays in limit. Please cut him some slack,” said Akhtar who urged critics to not be harsh on Kohli.
Mitchell Johnson, former Aussie speedster was also critical of Kohli's behavior especially after the skipper gave a 'cold handshake' to his counterpart Paine after losing in the Perth Test.
"At the end of the match, you should be able to look each other in the eyes, shake hands and say 'great contest'," Johnson had written in his column for Fox Sports. "Virat Kohli could not do that with Tim Paine, shaking the Australian captain's hand but barely making eye contact with him. To me, that is disrespectful.”
The Test series has come to 1-1 level in Perth and Kohli and his men need to bag a lead in the 4-match series by winning the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
