“Probably just the mind games being played” - Former Australia batter on Virat Kohli & Ravindra Jadeja controversies ahead of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former Australia batter Simon Katich recently opened up on the controversies of Indian cricketers with Aussie journalists, suggesting that the incidents were 'mind games.' The comments came before the all-important fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test, scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 onwards.

Kohli was seen confronting a female Australian journalist at the Melbourne airport for clicking pictures of his family without permission. Jadeja, on the other hand, was accused by the Australian media contingent of not taking questions in English after a training session in Melbourne.

Katich termed these events as potential 'mind games' and added that these were probably done due to the magnitude of the series. He told Channel 7 (via India Today):

“Obviously, there’s been a few things unfolding in the last week or so that haven’t gone down well at that camp. It’s probably just the mind games being played, given the enormity of this series."

“The media are here to promote the game and I don’t know what the Indians are thinking at the moment. That’s their problem,” he added.

The five-match series is currently poised at 1-1, with two matches still to go. India won the opening Test in Perth by 295 runs while the Aussies returned the favor in the day-night fixture, thrashing Rohit Sharma and company by 10 wickets. The third Test at the Gabba was marred by rain and ended in a draw.

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"You're nothing but a bully" - Australian journalist slams Virat Kohli for confronting female reporter

A Nine Sports journalist has slammed Virat Kohli over his confrontation with a female reporter at the Melbourne airport, calling him a 'bully.'

The Delhi-born cricketer was seemingly unhappy with reporters clicking pictures of his family without permission, citing security reasons. Kohli requested the reporter to delete photos and videos of his kids and upon assurance from the media person, he also shook hands with her.

However, the turn of events hasn't gone down well with the Australian media, with one journalist slamming Kohli for berating a female reporter.

"Really? Big tough man, Virat. And then he stood over this girl, Nat Yoannidis, who's about five foot one, five foot two, and just absolutely berated her. You're nothing but a bully, Virat," the journalist was quoted as saying by Daily Mail (via NDTV).