Kohli calls for intense cricket, no unnecessary tension India vs Australia

From verbal clashes to on-field confrontations, the rivalry between India and Australia has been legendary in the world of cricket. There was a time when this competition was about to come to blows, but an event changed the dynamic. India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19 promised to be the most tense, but the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town marked a turning point. The subsequent series showed an exchange of jokes, different from the usual hostility. In the World Cup, India’s captain, Virat Kohli, asked fans to stop booing Steven Smith, who was returning after a suspension. Before the start of the 2020-21 Test series, the question arises as to whether mutual respect will affect the intensity of the matches. Kohli attributes this change to several factors, including the players’ coexistence in the IPL and the maturity of everyone involved. Australia has recognized the need to improve its behavior, seeking a balance between competitiveness and sportsmanship.

This year has made people realize that many things might not have been necessary in the past, where you hold grudges and have unnecessary tensions between teams and individuals, which is absolutely useless.

Virat Kohli

Kohli emphasizes that professionalism and aggression on the field must be maintained, but without getting personal.

Kohli also acknowledges that Australia has changed its approach, partly due to the shared experience in the IPL and a greater perspective this year. India’s captain believes there is more respect between the teams, although the intensity and competition on the field will remain. The banter will continue, but without getting personal, as the players are more mature and make smarter decisions. Kohli, admired in Australia for his competitive spirit, highlights the importance of giving it your all within the rules to win. Recognizes the right of the media to express their opinions, but for the players, the most important thing is teamwork performance. In high-level cricket, the quality of the game should not be compromised, and although there will be difficult moments, the aim is to avoid disrespect. Kohli concludes that the appreciation for the players’ effort and character comes at the end of the five days of play, and that the competition between India and Australia will remain intense.