‘Double standards’: Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar condemn Australia pundits for Virat Kohli-bashing during Boxing Day Test

Former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have not held back from expressing their anger over the portrayal of Virat Kohli in an Australian newspaper. Following his incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas, Kohli was labeled a “clown” by The West Australian newspaper and was further humiliated by a caricature of his face with a red nose. Speaking on the second day of the fourth Test, Pathan and Gavaskar said that if nothing is said now, this trend of disrespect towards Indian cricketers in the Australian media will continue.

“Australian newspapers, media and even some former cricketers are the definition of duplicity. At first they call Virat Kohli the ‘King’ but as soon as he shows some aggression, he is labeled that way. “Double standards,” said Pathan on Star Sports.

“None of us supported the incident but we left it to the officers. But here they first called him the ‘King’ and then immediately ‘Joker’? You want to sell, you want to make.” “Cricket is popular, but at the expense of Virat Kohli’s market value? We will not accept this,” Pathan added.

IRFAN PATHAN’S REACTION TO AUSTRALIAN MEDIA…!!!! pic.twitter.com/tj5D3k2b7E

– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2024

Pathan said such incidents against Indian cricketers have been happening for several years and will continue to happen if Indian cricket and media officials do not speak up.

Pathan gave an example of how he was punished despite being argued and insulted by former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn.

“The first time I was fined I had just clapped while Damien Martyn uttered an insult. But I was the one who was seen clapping on camera and got fined. Damien Martyn got away scot-free,” Pathan said.

Sunil Gavaskar echoed Pathan’s comments.

“That’s old news. It’s always said, ‘If we do it, it’s fine, if you do it, it’s a crime,'” Gavaskar said.