Harbhajan, Kohli and now Jadeja, Indian crickets who came under Australian media’s radar
During the press conference ahead of the fourth Test of BGT in Mebourne, Jadeja interacted with the media in Hindi. The Australian media claimed the all-rounder refused to answer questions in English and left the session even before the Australian reporters could pose questions.
Hyderabad: The Indian cricket team which is currently playing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, found itself under the scanner of Australian media, yet again, as Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja‘s press conference was dragged into unwarranted controversy.
As per reports, during the press conference ahead of the fourth Test of BGT in Mebourne, Jadeja interacted with the media in Hindi. The Australian media claimed the all-rounder refused to answer questions in English and left the session even before the Australian reporters could pose questions.
However, the Indian media group and the team’s media manager refuted the claims saying the cricketer did not refuse to answer the questions in English but was genuinely in a hurry to board the team bus after a training session.
Moreover, the highly anticipated T20 match between the media representatives of both nations was ultimately scrapped owing to the press conference controversy.
Few days prior to Jadeja’s controversy, star player Virat Kohli was also termed as ‘bully’ following a confrontation of the cricketer with the Australian media over filming him along with his family at the Melbourne airport.
Kohli, who arrived at Melbourne along with wife Anushka and his two kids, requested the media to film him but not his wife and children. The video of the cricketer’s reaction has gone viral on social media drawing heavy criticism from the Australian media fraternity.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that such altercations has occurred between the Indian cricket team and the Australian media.
Harbhajan Singh’s ban during the 2008 Sydney Test
One of the earliest and high-profile controversy occurred during the infamous 2008 Sydney Test match, when Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was accused of making a racial slur against Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds.
The controversy sparked heated reactions in both countries, with Australian media supporting Symonds and the Indian media defending Singh. The all-rounder, after a hearing, was found guilty and was handed a three-match ban.
The BCCI and Indian cricket team strongly protested resulting in overturning the rule, but Singh was fined 50% of his match fee.
Kohli vs. Australian media in 2017 Australian tour
Another altercation occurred during the India vs. Australia 2017 Test series, where Australian players were accused of unsporting conduct and verbal sledging. Virat Kohli, in particular, was found in the Australian media crosshairs for his vocal criticism of Australian players.
Kohli made it to the headlines of several Australian papers, where one paper termed him ‘egomaniac,’ while the other called him ‘childish.’ The Australian media fired at the cricketer after he openly condemned the behaviour of Australian cricketers.
The 2021 Gabba Test
After the historical win against Australia in 2021 in Gabba, tensions flared up yet again as the Australian media criticised India’s celebrations. The Indian cricketers, visibly upset, expressed frustration over constant scrutiny and criticism of Australian media on Indian players.
The constant friction between the Indian cricket team and Australian media has caught the eyes of cricket fans across the country where many question the close scrutiny of Australian media on Indian players.
