IND vs AUS: Flipping the crowd, facing sledging 每 Virat Kohli's 'love-hate rivalry' with Australia

While it may not be the first time, and surely not the last, that Virat Kohli has been fined for his antics on the field. On Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia, Kohli and debutant Sam Konstas had a small incident where the Indian star shoulder-bumped the 19-year-old Aussie batter. The International Cricket Council (ICC), after reviewing the incident, fined Kohli 20% of his match fee following the altercation at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Since this incident sparked widespread discussions, it also brought to light how, somehow, Australia, the Australian cricket team, and the fans seem to bring out the worst in Virat Kohli. The former India captain appears to be at his most aggressive against the Aussies. Here are the times he has either given back to the crowd or the players, showcasing his love-hate relationship with the country Down Under.

Flipping the crowd in Sydney

One of the most unforgettable incidents that occurred during a 2012 Test match was when Virat Kohli flipped off the Sydney crowd. When the media questioned him, Kohli explained that the fans had crossed a personal line in their sledging. Though he pleaded guilty to his actions, he still faced a 50% match-fee fine as the offense was classified as Level 2.

David Warner vs Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan

The 2014 Adelaide Test was clouded by sorrow following the tragic death of Phillip Hughes. However, it didn't take long for tensions to flare as there was a heated exchange between Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and David Warner. When David Warner was dismissed by Varun Aaron, the Indian team reacted strongly, especially Kohli. However, when replays showed Aaron had overstepped, Warner fired back with a shout of 'Come on.' This led to a heated exchange between Warner, Kohli, and Dhawan. While Warner was fined 15%, while Kohli and Dhawan were each fined 30% of their match fees.

Virat Kohli's heated exchange with James Faulkner

In the 2016 4th ODI against Australia in Canberra, Virat Kohli had a fiery exchange with James Faulkner, adding fuel to the intense India-Australia rivalry. When Faulkner sledged him, Kohli famously replied, '"Go bowl, don't waste your time. You're wasting your energy. No point. I've smashed you enough in my life. Go bowl." Kohli went on to score a brilliant 106, but India fell short, losing the match by 25 runs.

Virat Kohli's verbal spat with Mitchell Johnson

One of Kohli's most intense rivalries had been with Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson. During the 2014 Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, the two engaged in several heated verbal exchanges that added extra spice to the already intense contest. One of the most memorable incidents took place during the 3rd Test in Melbourne. Johnson's threw the ball at Kohli and it unexpectedly struck the batter on the body, sparking an immediate and fiery confrontation between the two. The incident quickly escalated, with both players exchanging words.

Virat Kohli's words against Tim Paine

The 2018 series saw the Perth Test turn into a verbal battleground between Virat Kohli and Tim Paine. The two captains exchanged sharp barbs and intense glares, making it clear that neither was going to back down. Kohli, eager to get under Paine's skin, cheekily taunted, "If he messes it up, it's 2-0." Paine quickly fired back, "You＊re the one that lost it!" Despite the heated exchanges, India went on to win the series 2-1, marking their historic first-ever Test series victory in Australia.

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