In a heated incident that has garnered significant media attention, Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli lost his cool at a journalist upon his arrival at Melbourne Airport ahead of the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test against Australia. The confrontation, which took place on Thursday (December 19) was captured on camera and quickly went viral, sparking discussions about privacy and celebrity treatment in public spaces.
The incident unfolds
Kohli arrived in Melbourne with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, after the conclusion of the third Test at the Gabba, which ended in a draw. As he made his way through the airport, he noticed that cameras were focused on him and his family. Reports indicate that a journalist from Channel 7 was filming them without prior consent, prompting Kohli to confront the media personnel.
In a video shared by various news outlets, Kohli can be heard expressing his frustration, saying, “With my kids, I need some privacy, yeah? You can’t film without asking me.” His remarks highlighted the tension between public interest and personal privacy, especially when it comes to families of high-profile cricketers.
Virat Kohli had a confrontation with the Australian media in Melbourne after they were taking pictures of his family without permission. pic.twitter.com/SCPktXtrlU
— RCBIANS OFFICIAL (@RcbianOfficial) December 19, 2024
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has been involved in a fiery confrontation at Melbourne Airport. @theodrop has the details. https://t.co/5zYfOfGqUb #AUSvIND #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/uXqGzmMAJi
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 19, 2024
Also READ: Fact Check: Did Anil Kumble lash out at Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after their failures in the Gabba Test?
Media reaction
The incident drew mixed reactions from fans and media alike. Some supported Kohli’s stance on protecting his family’s privacy, while others criticized him for his aggressive response. A reporter from Channel 7 later clarified that Kohli’s anger stemmed from a misunderstanding; he believed the media was filming his children when they were actually focused on interviewing Australian player Scott Boland nearby.
After the initial confrontation, Kohli reportedly calmed down and shook hands with the camera operator before leaving the scene. However, the moment had already sparked widespread discussion online, with many fans expressing their support for Kohli’s right to privacy.
Context of the confrontation
This incident comes at a time when Kohli has been under scrutiny for his performances during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite starting strong with a century in Perth, he has struggled to maintain form in subsequent matches, accumulating just 26 runs across four innings since then. The pressure of performing well in Australia, coupled with media attention on his personal life, may have contributed to his heightened emotions during this encounter.
Under Australian law, there are no specific restrictions on filming celebrities in public spaces, which complicates matters for high-profile Indian cricketers like Kohli. This incident raises important questions about the boundaries of media coverage and the rights of individuals to maintain their privacy in public settings.
Also READ: 3 ways how Virat Kohli can regain his prime form in Test cricket
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