AUS v IND 2018-19: “Sledging is fine till the time you don’t get personal,” Gambhir’s advice to Kohli

Kohli has copped a lot of criticism for his on-field antics in the ongoing Test series Down Under.

Kohli and Paine engaged in a tension flared verbal duel on Day 4 in Perth | Getty

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has advised Virat Kohli to not cross the limit while expressing himself on the cricket field. Gambhir, who recently bid adieu from international cricket, feels that being a captain of the country Kohli is ought to keep his emotions under control.

The verbal duel between Virat and Australian captain Tim Paine was constant during the second Test in Perth, with umpires Chris Gaffaney and Kumar Dharmasena having to make the two skippers understand the importance of playing the game in a right spirit.

Subsequently, Kohli copped a lot of criticism from Australian legends for his on-field behaviour. The likes of Allan Border, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and even India's Sanjay Manjrekar have expressed their displeasure over Virat’s antics in the match.

“I’ve always believed that aggression is fine. I think sledging is fine and aggression is fine till the time you do it within the rules of the game, till the time you don’t cross the limit and you don’t get personal. Because when you are captaining the country, you are a role model for the entire country, you are the ambassador for the country,” Gambhir told The Quint.

The southpaw also shed light on the infamous sacking of Anil Kumble as Indian cricket team head coach last year. Due to some differences with skipper Kohli, Kumble had stepped down from the chief coach position and then Shastri threw his hat into the ring.

Recently, CoA member Diana Edulji disclosed that Virat sent text messages to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri asking for Kumble’s ouster and Shastri’s appointment.

“It was probably the darkest phase in Indian cricket. If 15 people are not happy with one person, obviously it is time for him to go, but if one person is not happy with a certain individual, you have to sort out your differences because ultimately he’s the coach of the entire 15-man squad, not just one player,” Gambhir remarked.

“There are 130 crore people who are looking up to the Indian team as well, so I am sure you can leave your ego behind because you have a far bigger responsibility to deal with when you represent the nation,” he concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 22 Dec, 2018

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