Kohli calls for tension-free CRICKET in India vs Australia: End of rivalry?

The rivalry between India and Australia, marked by moments of high tension, has undergone a notable evolution. From verbal clashes and on-field provocations to growing camaraderie, cricket has witnessed a significant change. An example of this transformation was when Shikhar Dhawan mocked an injured Shane Watson in 2013. Then, David Warner was used as the official provocateur during the 2014-15 tour. However, lately, the relationship has changed. The India tour to Australia in 2018-19 promised to be one of the most tense, but before that happened, the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town marked a turning point. In last year’s World Cup, India’s captain, Virat Kohli, asked Indian fans to stop booing Steven Smith, showing a gesture of respect towards the Australian player. Before the start of the 2020-21 Test series, the question was whether this new relationship would compromise the intensity of the matches. Kohli attributed the improvement in relations to the fact that both teams play together in the IPL and know each other better.

These teams play a lot in the IPL together and therefore know each other better. All the characters in this narrative are also older, wiser, and more secure in their place in the world.

Virat Kohli

Since the Cape Town incident, Australia has acknowledged its behavior and sought a balance between competitiveness and good conduct. This year, people’s priorities have changed, recognizing the unnecessary nature of certain tensions. Kohli commented that this change is the result of multiple factors: playing together in the IPL, Australia’s change of focus, and the circumstances of the year. In addition, he highlighted the importance of the quality of cricket and filtering out the unnecessary. Kohli also acknowledged that Australia has changed “to some extent”. Despite the changes, Kohli hopes that the competitiveness and intensity of cricket remain intact. Respect between teams has increased, and he hopes that cricket will remain competitive. Kohli emphasized that the game must be competitive, but without getting personal. Players are maturing and making smarter decisions to maintain the quality of cricket.

Kohli, known for his competitive character, is respected in Australia. When asked if the players feel vilified, Kohli responded that the players do what is necessary for the team, maintaining the aggressiveness and quality of the game. At the highest level, the quality of cricket cannot be compromised, but the dignity of the sport must be maintained. There will be difficult moments when teams face each other, but not in a disrespectful manner. Kohli believes that appreciation for the effort of both teams comes at the end of the five days of play. The public will try to make things difficult, and the teams will too, but the essence of test cricket is competitiveness and passion. In other words, tough but fair. How Australian can Kohli be?