Irfan Pathan Hits Out at Australian Media For 'Hypocrisy' Surrounding Virat Kohli. (Twitter)
Virat Kohli has been at the centre of controversy ever since his shoulder bump to Australia's debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
While the incident prompted a number of reactions, it also provoked fierce and harsh criticism from Australian media outlets, some of which labelled Kohli a "clown" on a magazine cover.
This did not go down well with former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, who called out the Australian media for its "hypocrisy." Pathan pointed out how the media hailed Kohli at the start of the series as a King and then quickly ridiculed him, exposing double standards.
"First of all, the media and newspapers here are crossing the limits of 'doglapan' (hypocrisy). The reason [I'm saying this] is that you make him a 'king', and then if he shows aggression, you term him a 'joker'. We have never supported that thing [needless aggression]. We have said the same thing. The referee will do his job, the law has to be followed. That has been done," Pathan said on Star Sports.
"But after that, you are calling him a joker. After the king, the joker means you want to sell him, you want to make cricket more famous. But at what cost? You are using the shoulder of Virat Kohli; you are trying to climb on it and exploit his name to make a personal gain. We will not accept that you want to leverage on the market value of that cricketer, you are trying to take advantage of the market value and want to hold say on both sides of the coin. This is unacceptable" he added.
Recalling an incident from his own career that involved former Aussie player Damien Martyn, Pathan said, "Damien Martyn - when I was first fined, when I had taken out his wicket during the previous tour, I only clapped. I clapped, but Martyn started abusing. But he quietly took over. I came in front of him clapping. I was fined and he got away with it. And that happened here in Australia."
"So, this is their character, they have been like this for so many years. You exert the law on those who come from outside, but you will not follow when the same law when it comes to you," Pathan concluded. "
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