A controversy has erupted in the cricketing world after veteran Indian spinner Amit Mishra made allegations about Virat Kohli’s behaviour and attitude, suggesting a change in Kohli due to ‘fame and power.’ This has sparked a heated debate on social media, with fans defending Kohli and pointing to his longstanding camaraderie with other teammates like Ishant Sharma.
The Resurfaced 2014 Quote
Amid the controversy, an old video from 2014 has resurfaced, showing Kohli’s response to verbal battles with Australian players, especially Mitchell Johnson, during India’s tour of Australia. When asked about these confrontations in a press conference, Kohli stated:
“I am out here to play cricket, not to earn anyone’s respect. As long as I’m scoring runs, I’m happy with it. If you like it, good. I don’t really care what they think as far as respecting me or me respecting them. I’ve got a nice friendship with a few of them. But someone who says anything that comes to his mouth, I don’t respect.”
I'm here to play cricket , I'm not here to earn anyone's respect – Virat Kohli 💥 pic.twitter.com/wMd2lwiFS9
— Prasanth VK¹⁸ (@Kohlifiedd18) July 16, 2024
Amit Mishra’s Allegations
In a recent YouTube podcast with Shubhankar Mishra on the show ‘Unplugged,’ Amit Mishra made several claims about Kohli’s changed demeanour:
– Change Due to Fame and Power: Mishra suggested that Kohli’s behaviour had altered significantly due to his fame and power, leading to a strained relationship between them.
– Abuse During IPL 2023: Mishra accused Kohli of verbally abusing his Lucknow Super Giants teammates during an IPL 2023 game.
– Personal Relationship: Mishra reminisced about knowing Kohli since he was 14, mentioning his love for samosas and pizza. He expressed disappointment over the change in Kohli’s behaviour since becoming captain.
Fan Reactions
Fans of Kohli have come out strongly in his defence, highlighting his positive relationships with other former teammates like Ishant Sharma. They argue that Kohli’s aggressive on-field persona should not be mistaken for his off-field personality and point to numerous instances where Kohli has shown respect and camaraderie with his peers.
The resurfaced video of Kohli’s 2014 quote and the recent allegations by Amit Mishra has reignited discussions about Kohli’s personality and behaviour. While some believe fame and power may have influenced him, others defend his consistent commitment to the game and his teammates. The debate continues as fans and former players weigh in on the issue.
