[VIDEO/PICTURES] Virat Kohli asks fans to stop 'booing' Steve Smith during India vs Australia match

[Mr.Q]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great sportsmanship earlier by Virat Kohli which was appreciated by Steve Smith - telling the Indian fans to stop booing Smith when he was fielding on the boundary <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://t.co/fehhWKD0fn">pic.twitter.com/fehhWKD0fn</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1137748564644376576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, <a href="https://twitter.com/imVkohli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@imVkohli</a> suggested they applaud the Australian instead.<br><br>Absolute class &#55357;&#56399; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SpiritOfCricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SpiritOfCricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ViratKohli?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ViratKohli</a> <a href="https://t.co/mmkLoedxjr">pic.twitter.com/mmkLoedxjr</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1137777943667707907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Good to see someone doing something about it. People have been booing Warner and Smith throughout this World Cup (particularly during that practice match against England) and it’s not really a good thing to see.

 

[zarar]

Absolute legend.

 

[Hasan123]

Class act from Kohli. I thought Indian fans would be kind to Smith due to his IPL performances.

 

[pillionrider]

Honestly, I don't think Kohli has any business shaking his head at the crowd and taking the high ground. A few years back, I'd have loved this about him. But there's been too much of this holier than thou stuff from him for it to feel the same now. But anyway, that he respects a fellow great is laudable.

 

[big_gamer007]

Like I said in many previous threads having met Kohli he's pure class. The aggression on the field and anger he does to pump up his adrenaline as it helps perform him better.

 

[Gilly]

Good stuff from Kohli, he is a very good leader.

 

[spiderreddy]

Absolutely unnecessary from kohli.

 

[KingKhanWC]

He must of been embarrassed & good on him to intervene.

 

[MenInG]

 

[JaDed]

Why though? If we are able to get home advantage why then? Kohli has really regressed I feel no more win mentality like before.

 

[Markhor]

Spirit of cricket and all that.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Class act, knows where to show aggression and where to applaud the opposition. Smith felt very good

 

[jagatk]

But but but kohli is evil, arrogant, uncouth disgusting person.

 

[MenInG]

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/341205999" width="640" height="352" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/341205999">Virat Kohli asks fans to stop booing Steve Smith</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user98619008">Green Man</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

[Mkumar825]

Good gesture

 

[ManFan]

Not needed.

 

[AAli98]

Just wants brownie points, the real kohli is the one who barges in the match referees room & shouts ay him when things don’t go his way!!

 

[Sachin136]

Class act from Kohli. I thought Indian fans would be kind to Smith due to his IPL performances.

Indians in India love him. In fact, after Smith and Warner got banned, they showed a lot of support for them on social media. NRIs are a different story.

 

[Zaz]

Hes obviously after a Big bash contract

 

[aloo paratha]

Why should they stop booing?

 

[topspin]

Great to see a Kohli. A true gentleman of the game on and off the field.

 

[Slim]

Good stuff, signs of maturity. Steve smith doesnt deserves booing tho, the punishment he served was enough but insecure indian fans will always use this against him.

 

[Third Man]

No, the real Kohli is someone who takes a stance and is opinionated. That's what he did here.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Class act from Kohli. He just keeps growing as a person.

 

[Mainul]

What a sportsmanship

 

[pakistani pride]

LOL none of his business really. Besides Smith is not a baby. I guess he doesnt even bother if some Indians are booing him.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Great stuff. Nothing wrong with what the crowd did but a great gesture by Kohli nonetheless.

 

[Mkumar825]

LOL none of his business really. Besides Smith is not a baby. I guess he doesnt even bother if some Indians are booing him.

Have you seen vedio yet then comment what Smith did

 

[jnaveen1980]

Smith you better silence the crowd , when they boo Kohli Quid pro quo. Seriously it is kinda getting annoying they boo them everywhere. This is not Ashes. This is world cup. You boo him in the Ashes. You could boo many players if you want to boo.

 

[Snowflake]

Smith has been raking up runs with ease. I don't think he's affected by these crowd antics at all. I like this from Kohli but I do feel he has a need to be validated by his peers.

 

[Hawkeye]

King Kohli. Tendulkar doesn't even come close in class.

After Imran Khan, Kohli is definitely on track to become the 2nd greatest from Asia.

 

[Revolution]

Superb gesture from kohli.

 

[pakistani pride]

Have you seen vedio yet then comment what Smith did

Smith just shaked his hands so what?
Kohli is just acting and always wants to be mister nice guy.

Like I said none of his business and looking at the way Smith is batting, it doesnt affect him at all.

 

[ravisurya]

Its all about brand Kohli.

 

[jacobjohn]

What is it about Pakistan, that has a soft corner for VK

 

[zarar]

There is absolutely nothing about him we don't like, He is everything Pakistan want in a cricketer. Class, Consisteny, Appearance, Swagger, Ruthlesness that can be accepted due to how much they give to the country through the profession they are in.

 

[xbox]

Good what he did. But I am curious if a Pakistani player was being booed by Indian fans would he do the same.? Because that could back fire.

 

[KingKhanWC]

There is absolutely nothing about him we don't like, He is everything Pakistan want in a cricketer. Class, Consisteny, Appearance, Swagger, Ruthlesness that can be accepted due to how much they give to the country through the profession they are in.

Please speak for yourself. Imran Khan was the type of captain I always want not Kohli, he is far too arrogant and acts in a childish manner on the field. Supporters can boo who they like, they pay to watch.

 

[Savak]

Steve Smith is a disgraceful cheat and he fully deserves to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.

 

[Gilly]

Steve Smith is a disgraceful cheat and he fully deserves to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.

Cricket is full of disgraceful cheats, you just have to priortize the ones you like.

 

[iPakistani]

Great act from Kohli, but then when he takes the catch of Coulter-Nile he hurls disgusting words from his mouth which were shown in the TV replay.

 

[Savak]

Cricket is full of disgraceful cheats, you just have to priortize the ones you like.

Nope but it is important to highlight the likes of David Warner and Steven Smith when they come from Holier than thou countries

 

[Gilly]

Nope but it is important to highlight the likes of David Warner and Steven Smith when they come from Holier than thou countries

Thats a bit of a laugh, did you see how the PCB lied and carried on about their three bowlers who got caught cheating.

Dont give me this holier than thou countries crap. Didnt the president of the PCB make up some lie about England match fixing, it is very rich to hear that other countries are holier than thou.

 

[Sirris]

I don't like what Kohli did. Especially while the match was still going on. It was unnecessary of him to play the role ofna diplomat.

Fans will be fans and as long as they aren't calling for violence or racism they can cheer or boo whoever they feel like. Kohli can say in a pkst matcj interview what he thought of it but not during the match.

 

[Mamoon]

There is absolutely nothing about him we don't like, He is everything Pakistan want in a cricketer. Class, Consisteny, Appearance, Swagger, Ruthlesness that can be accepted due to how much they give to the country through the profession they are in.

Totally agree. He is well on his way of becoming the GOAT Asian cricketer.

 

[Slim]

Good stuff, signs of maturity. Steve smith doesnt deserves booing tho, the punishment he served was enough but insecure indian fans will always use this against him.

On a second thought, i take my comments back. All that booing coming towards Steve Smith is justified, he is a cheat and brought the game to disrepute. Not just that but he harmed the interests of his team and opposition team as well.

If i could be okay with Amir getting booed, Smith is no different.

Kohli is no one to tell the crowd to stop booing, the crowd pays to watch and they are entitled to their opinion. [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION]

 

[leatherface58]

Classy from Kohli which sorta goes against the "Kohli = Satan" narrative here.

 

[Energy]

He's nailed it. Most importantly, the Aussies were at the mercy of Indians the whole game. Never sledged, never were in the match. Such is the power of the skipper and their brand that it has made Australia looked soft.

Personally, never liked Kohli at the start of his career but he has matured with age and there is no doubt about that.

 

[Slim]

Classy from Kohli which sorta goes against the "Kohli = Satan" narrative here.

Kohli ended up abusing an Australian batsman in the same match. So well, meh. I just realized myself that this whole drama was basically brand Kohli. The same way he does it with Amir and pakistani players to increase his popularity with Pakistani masses.

 

[leatherface58]

Kohli ended up abusing an Australian batsman in the same match. So well, meh. I just realized myself that this whole drama was basically brand Kohli. The same way he does it with Amir and pakistani players to increase his popularity with Pakistani masses.

If he wants to grow his brand, he would go full nationalist which would endear him further among Indians which is the biggest fan base in cricket.

But trust you to twist something classy he did into having an ulterior motive.

 

[Slim]

If he wants to grow his brand, he would go full nationalist which would endear him further among Indians which is the biggest fan base in cricket.

But trust you to twist something classy he did into having an ulterior motive.

Ask Indian fans, they accuse Kohli of appeasing Pakistanis all the time. I am just speaking from my observations. The brand Kohli is just not about India, he wants and actually is a global brand.

What he did might be genuine but you never know.

 

[leatherface58]

Ask Indian fans, they accuse Kohli of appeasing Pakistanis all the time. I am just speaking from my observations. The brand Kohli is just not about India, he wants and actually is a global brand.

What he did might be genuine but you never know.

I don't think he cares about anybody's opinion. Whatever you do, somebody on the internet will have something stupid to say about it. You cannot make everyone happy. So, I guess he just does what he wants, opinion of somebody else be damned.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Ask Indian fans, they accuse Kohli of appeasing Pakistanis all the time. I am just speaking from my observations. The brand Kohli is just not about India, he wants and actually is a global brand.

What he did might be genuine but you never know.

Yes we are mad at him for being too cozy like that. But i don't think there is any ulterior motive behind this gesture. He probably just felt that way. He has strong opinions about certain things. Remember how many commies backed Ashwin for mankading. But Kohli mocked Ashwin after taking his catch in the IPL. He clearly was not happy that Ashwin mankaded Butler even though elite umpires like Simon Taufel backed Ashwin.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Honestly, I don't think Kohli has any business shaking his head at the crowd and taking the high ground. A few years back, I'd have loved this about him. But there's been too much of this holier than thou stuff from him for it to feel the same now. But anyway, that he respects a fellow great is laudable.

Holier than thou? The Indian crowd was booing opposition player for no reason, that's as trashy as it gets. Nothing wrong with acting holier than trashy spectators.

 

[usmanraheel]

Usually don't like watching Kohli on the field , but this was a great gesture from him.

 

[Gilly]

It is testament to the quality of Kohli the batsman when jealousy from supporters of other teams clouds their thinking and they resort to abuse.

 

[Rana]

Imagine Sarfaraz doing this.

He would start getting booed instead

 

[AFM]

Credit where credit is due. That was a class act from Kohli.

 

[Slog]

Holier than thou? The Indian crowd was booing opposition player for no reason, that's as trashy as it gets. Nothing wrong with acting holier than trashy spectators.

Tbh I don’t know if I’m right but I always get the sense Kohli plays politics and tries to be on everyone’s good side. And cares for the media a lot

 

[Savak]

Thats a bit of a laugh, did you see how the PCB lied and carried on about their three bowlers who got caught cheating.

Dont give me this holier than thou countries crap. Didnt the president of the PCB make up some lie about England match fixing, it is very rich to hear that other countries are holier than thou.

In the eyes of the public no one felt the same way about the Pakistani players as they did about Steve Smith, David Warner. No Pakistani player was ever made to cry like a baby in public unlike the so called Alpha Australian players. God knows how many unfair wins the likes of Starc, Hazelwood racked up due to the blatant disgraceful cheating. Rightfully punished and rightfully will be admonished for the rest of their lives now

 

[Gilly]

In the eyes of the public no one felt the same way about the Pakistani players as they did about Steve Smith, David Warner. No Pakistani player was ever made to cry like a baby in public unlike the so called Alpha Australian players. God knows how many unfair wins the likes of Starc, Hazelwood racked up due to the blatant disgraceful cheating. Rightfully punished and rightfully will be admonished for the rest of their lives now

The good thing for these guys is they dont have a heart full of hate.

 

[Technics 1210]

When that famous clip of Kohli mingling and having a laugh with Pakistan players after the CT17 went viral, my respect for him went into orbit, while Indian fans were questioning his loyalty.

This episode further endorses why he is a great player, great personality, and a great sportsman.

 

[Gilly]

When that famous clip of Kohli mingling and having a laugh with Pakistan players after the CT17 went viral, my respect for him went into orbit, while Indian fans were questioning his loyalty.

This episode further endorses why he is a great player, great personality, and a great sportsman.

He does represent peace and harmony and plays the game hard and fierce. We could all learn from him.

 

[Rayyman]

Aur aik hamaara Sarfraz

 

[Rayyman]

There is absolutely nothing about him we don't like, He is everything Pakistan want in a cricketer. Class, Consisteny, Appearance, Swagger, Ruthlesness that can be accepted due to how much they give to the country through the profession they are in.

We need someone like him from Pakistan.

 

[Technics 1210]

Virat Kohli apologises to Steve Smith after India fans chant 'cheater' at Australia batsman: 'In my opinion that's not acceptable'

Virat Kohli had to apologise to Australia's Steve Smith after he was heckled by Indian fans at The Oval for his part in last year's ball-tampering scandal.

In a game India won by 36 runs, Kohli gestured to a packed house to show Smith respect after they booed him and chanted: 'Cheater, cheater!'

'What's happened was long back,' said Kohli. 'He is trying to play well for his side.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/c...dia-fans-chant-cheater-Australia-batsman.html

 

[BaankeJi]

Ban Kohli.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Virat Kohli regarding Steve Smith "He didn't do anything to be booed. I felt bad because if I'd apologised, come back & still got booed I wouldn't like it. I felt for him & said sorry to him on behalf of the crowd ” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://t.co/mdM2j4DQMe">pic.twitter.com/mdM2j4DQMe</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1137843427209568257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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[Syed1]

Aur aik hamaara Sarfraz

Yeah Sarfaraz is the spawn of devil.... Pakistan was producing captains left right and center and instead we have this devil child getting in the way of ATG cricketers. Damn our luck.



Appreciate Kohli for what he did but what's the need to put down Sarfaraz.

 

[Rayyman]

Yeah Sarfaraz is the spawn of devil.... Pakistan was producing captains left right and center and instead we have this devil child getting in the way of ATG cricketers. Damn our luck.



Appreciate Kohli for what he did but what's the need to put down Sarfaraz.

I'm not putting down Saifi.

I'm saying Pakistan cricket needs a better leader to represent not only the cricket but also the country especially in a World Cup. Misbah and Afridi actually did a better job of this.

There are things Sarfraz does well, but let's be real he's not who we want as captain.

 

[zarar]

Please speak for yourself. Imran Khan was the type of captain I always want not Kohli, he is far too arrogant and acts in a childish manner on the field. Supporters can boo who they like, they pay to watch.

You wouldn’t say this if Kohli played for Pakistan.

Oh and 2 people have already agreed with me so

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

Virat is a class individual.The only Indian player I have ever liked.He looks a very good human being.On the field he is aggressive but off the field looks very humble guy

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Tbh I don’t know if I’m right but I always get the sense Kohli plays politics and tries to be on everyone’s good side. And cares for the media a lot

He is a brand and it's literally his job to maintain a likable persona. He has lots of sponsors and has to act in a certain way to get more. Tendulkar was also similar, just different personality.

 

[oneindia]

Please speak for yourself. Imran Khan was the type of captain I always want not Kohli, he is far too arrogant and acts in a childish manner on the field. Supporters can boo who they like, they pay to watch.

Your hatred knows no boundary. If same gesture was shown by a pakistani skipper, You would have been teaching ethic lesson to Indians. So much hate is not healthy.

 

[Slog]

He is a brand and it's literally his job to maintain a likable persona. He has lots of sponsors and has to act in a certain way to get more. Tendulkar was also similar, just different personality.

No tendulkar seemed genuine. If anything it seemed he did what he thought and didn’t have any thing more in mind when he took any decision as a player at least. He didn’t go out of his way to compliment anyone or be extra friendly and similarly didn’t try to manufacture an aggressive persona on the field. Both which would have made him much more marketable.

With Kohli I always get the sense that any decision he takes he devotes a time in ensuring that he is pleasing everybody and maintaining a great image. Guys like tendulkar (who to be fair wasn’t out there in any aspect anyway) or Ponting didn’t seem to care too much in that regard.

At the end of the day what I’m saying is a bit pointless but what I’m trying to say and what you allude to as well is that with Kohli every decision or act is driven by ulterior motives so the genuineness doesn’t remain.

Ofcourse this is all irrelevant and in no way am I saying that I don’t like Kohli. He’s a great. But whenever he does these ‘nice acts’ or when he shows aggression which I think is forced, I take both with a pinch of salt.

 

[CricFan2012]

Steve Smith is a disgraceful cheat and he fully deserves to live with the consequences for the rest of his life.

Every team has tampered with the ball, especially us Pakistanis, look into it if you will.

On top of that we have had chuckers cheating their way to wins for us, lets not be hypocrites.

 

[Plumb]

On the other hand, it was indian crowd who did the booing... expected that from such crowd.

They did the same thing with Amir!!!!!

 

[yasir]

Things like these that makes Kohli fan favorite all over the world... Excellent gesture by great sportsman

 

[pillionrider]

Holier than thou? The Indian crowd was booing opposition player for no reason, that's as trashy as it gets. Nothing wrong with acting holier than trashy spectators.

No reason?

I wouldn't have booed Smith if I was there, but to say that some people might have no reason to boo him is absurd.

Kohli has acted and continues to act trashy. That's cool and part of what is endearing about him. But he doesn't get to choose if and when others act trashy. He can mind his business and control his teammates if he wants, as their captain.

To me this act was him creating some drama to be lapped up by the cameras. Towards the end of the same game, he cracked under the pressure and went berserk after taking Coulter-Nile's catch despite the possibility of an Aussie win being negligible.

He supported Warner and Smith during their bans privately and in public and that's nice. But he doesn't get to choose how others behave when he's not their captain. At best, he could have sent a message to the crowd by sharing a laugh and handshake with Smith as he ran past him.

Don't stand there shaking your head in disgust as if this is the worst thing you've ever seen in your pure life.

 

[Balthazar]

I agree Indian fans shouldn't stoop to such level but getting lectured by Kohli is not a great feeling. Whatever you see him doing infront of the camera, it's not 100% genuine.

Meanwhile, how many Australian players have come out and openly criticised their fans behaviour in the stadium?