3 times Virat Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with the Australian crowd ft. BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Virat Kohli's on-field aggression and competitive spirit have often been the talking point in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) history. Due to his passionate personality and the rivalry between both teams, he has drawn immense flak from the Australian crowd over the years.

However, over time, Kohli managed to learn the art of channelling the crowd's hostility into motivation and let his bat do the talking. Since playing his first BGT in 2011, the right-hander has amassed 1,542 runs in 18 games at an average of 46.72, with seven centuries against Australia in Tests.

Certainly, Kohli's verbal exchanges and aggression fueled the engine of the Indian team, who went on to win the BGT on Australian soil during their 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours.

Although there have been many instances of the Australian crowd sledging the star Indian batter, only a few of them have seen their direct interaction. Today, let's take a look at the few instances where Virat Kohli's gesture incited reactions from the Australian crowd, resulting in confrontations.

---

#1 Middle finger gesture in Sydney, BGT 2011-12

An infamous 'middle finger' gesture from Virat Kohli took place at Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2012. The Indian team were under pressure after losing the opening Test in Melbourne, which played a part in them surrendering for 191 in the first innings in Sydney. Thereafter, the hosts ended the first day on 116/3.

The MS Dhoni-led side toiled hard to get wickets, but were rocked by a batting masterclass from Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting. The duo went on to stitch a 288-run stand to frustrate the Indian team, which also gave a chance for the Australian fans to poke fun at the visitors.

However, Kohli lost his cool after verbal abuse from a section of the Australian crowd when he was stationed near the fence. He showed them a middle finger to express his anger towards the spectators targeting him.

On the next day, Virat Kohli pleaded guilty and was fined 50 percent of his match fees.

Coming back to the game, Clarke remained unbeaten on 329* as Australia declared for a mammoth total of 659/4. The Indian team were then bundled out for 400 and lost the game by an innings and 68 runs.

---

#2 Virat Kohli retaliates to MCG crowd's booing, BGT 2024-25

Virat Kohli fired up the 80,000+ crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Boxing Day Test of the recently concluded BGT 2024-25. It all started on the first day when he deliberately clashed his shoulders with debutant Sam Konstas, who was going all guns blazing with his sensational hitting.

As a result, Kohli was welcomed with loud abuse in the first session of the second day. However, the veteran batter dismissed the abuse and encouraged the MCG crowd to boo a little louder.

Later in the same day, the MCG crowd continued their boos when the right-hander arrived at the crease. Although Kohli got off to a good start, he was dismissed for 36. However, while heading to the dressing room, he faced abuse and sledging from the Australian crowd.

Triggered by the comments, Kohli came back to confront the fans and stared at them, before the security official calmed him down and took him inside.

---

#3 Mocking sandpaper-gate scandal, Sydney, BGT 2024-25

Virat Kohli taunted the Australian crowd by referencing to the sandpaper-gate scandal during the last BGT 2024-25 Test in Sydney.

The sandpaper-gate scandal rocked the Australian team in March 2018. Former captain Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were found guilty of tampering with the ball using sandpaper against South Africa in Capetown.

After the dismissal of Smith on the third day of the fixture, Kohli faced jeers from the crowd. In response, the star batter engaged in a battle with them, gesturing to his empty pockets multiple times. He then imitated the action of rubbing the sandpaper to further rile up the Australian crowd.

The game saw Australia easily chase down the target of 162 and win the BGT 3-1. They regained the trophy for the first time after 2014-15.