- Tony Jones has called Indian star Virat Kohli a “bully”
- Kohli was involved in a confrontation with journalists.
- Tensions rise ahead of crucial Boxing Day test
Channel Nine sports news broadcaster Tony Jones has criticized Virat Kohli, calling him “nothing more than a thug” after the Indian legend was involved in a tense altercation with reporters at Melbourne airport.
On Saturday, Kohli, 36, lashed out at camera crews outside the Melbourne airport arrivals hall as he arrived for the Boxing Day Test.
Addressing a film crew, he indicated that he was opposed to cameras focusing on his family.
“With my children I need some privacy, you can’t film without asking me,” the former Indian captain was heard saying.
Explaining the situation further, 7News reporter Theo Doropoulos said: “It was upon seeing the cameras waiting that Kohli got a little angry at what is largely a misunderstanding when he thought the media was filming him with his children.”
Both Channel 7 and Channel 9 have said that at no point were Kohli’s children filmed during the family’s arrival.
Tony Jones intervenes in Virat Kohli’s confrontation with the media at Melbourne airport
Virat Kohli was involved in a heated altercation with journalists after his arrival in Melbourne.
Jones, whose colleague Nat Yoannidis was at the airport, objected to the Indian superstar’s behaviour.
“I have to say it was a pretty unpleasant incident,” Jones said in 3AW.
“Nat was there with a cameraman, a Channel 7 reporter was there with his cameraman and they were doing essentially what we do on a daily basis, and that is being at the airport to get identities, whether they’re political or whether they’re sports identities or whatever. .
“He was offended, being Virat Kohli, by the fact that the cameras were focused on him.
“Well, of course, you’re a batting superstar, you’re a global superstar in world cricket and he resents the fact that the attention is on him.”
“What really bothered me when I saw the footage was that he turned to the three guys, the two cameramen and the Channel 7 reporter and said you guys are fine, it’s her. Really? Big tough man Virat.
‘And then he stood next to this girl, Nat Yoannidis, who is about five foot one, five foot two, and absolutely berated her.
“You are nothing but a goon Virat.”
Tensions continue to rise between touring Indian cricket team and journalists
It comes as tensions continue to rise between the Indian team and the Australian media ahead of the crucial Boxing Day Test.
On Saturday, the Indian team faced reporters at the MCG after the drawn third Test at the Gabba that left the Border-Gavaskar series deadlocked at 1-1.
Australian journalists were left confused when star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja only spoke in Hindi to Indian media, leaving local media frustrated.
Journalists were heard asking if they could get an answer in English as the press conference concluded after just nine minutes.
The Indian media team later stated that the press conference was only for traveling Indian media, despite Australian reporters claiming they were also invited.