The Border-Gavaskar trophy has so far witnessed a fair share of off-field controversies. However, the fire only seems to be raging further with each passing day. With the serious heading into the decisive fourth test at Dharamshala, it was time for the Australian media to grab the headlines with their disgraceful comments.
The Australian Media has fallen back on cheap-accusations to criticise opposition players in the past. They took their criticism and hilarious ridicule to a new low after the third test ended in a draw. The Daily Telegraph dubbed Virat Kohli the “Donald Trump” of world sport and accused him of spreading false news about the Australian cricketers. The article criticised Kohli for his claims about misconduct by the Australian cricketers and expressed disappointment about him not being reprimanded for the same by the BCCI or the ICC.
They wrote, “Virat Kohli has become the Donald Trump of world sport. Just like President Trump, Kohli decided to blame the media as a means of trying to hide the egg smeared right across his face. The Indian captain is a law unto himself with no one — not even the ICC or his own board — holding him accountable for his continual perpetuation of fake news.”
The article drew severe criticism from the cricketing fraternity and the fans alike. Amitabh Bachchan decided to troll the article in his own way, tweeting that comparing him to Trump meant he won and was the “President”.
T 2471 – Aussi media calls Virat, Donald Trump of sports !! … thank you Aussi media for accepting that he is a winner and the PRESIDENT !! pic.twitter.com/ZOoNtuhtC2
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 21, 2017
Acclaimed commentator Harsh Bhogle also lashed out at the Australian media in a barrage of tweets stating that creating toxicity and glorifying aggressive on-field behaviour would do lasting damage to test cricket. He warned the media against fuelling the fire and spreading ill-will amongst teams.
Friends in Australia tell me they are perturbed by the toxicity this series has generated. Cricket lovers in India saying so too.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
I am particularly perturbed by the fact that some of us in the media are promoting this divisiveness and taking sides to spread ill-will.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
A lot of us entered this profession because we love sport and had the opportunity to talk/write about it. We didn't enter to spread toxicity
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
Creating a Big Brother/Big Boss kind of toxicity to gain eyeballs and generate headlines will prove harmful eventually.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
I also believe administrators need to ensure that while there will be passion at work, and frayed tempers, it cannot be a series of its own.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017
Former Australian skipper Micheal Clarke who is here as a commentator for this series also lashed out at these allegations calling them a load of s**t. Speaking to India-Today, he said “”Comparing Virat Kohli with Donald Trump – what a load of s*** is that. What Virat did, even Smith would have. Bear in mind, I love Kohli and the Australian public love him. I always somehow find an Australian in him the way he plays and I absolutely love how he accepts challenges. It’s just two or three reporters who are trying to tarnish him but Virat shouldn’t be bothered. I don’t think even Steve Smith would bother about what the Australian media is saying. In fact, both the captains would be telling their teams to concentrate on how to win in Dharamshala.”
Here are a few fan reactions trolling the Australian media:
https://twitter.com/TheAllRound3r/status/844156746767638528
https://twitter.com/SirRohitSharma_/status/844448513727643652
https://twitter.com/MrMrRajneesh/status/844467347763138562
Incidents like these are a disgrace to the media, and they should show restraint before making such bold and baseless comments in the future in the interest of the game and its popularity.
