The recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has left Virat Kohli at the center of controversy, with former Australian internationals Aaron Finch and Simon Katich expressing disapproval of his on-field conduct.
Virat Kohli’s actions throughout the BGT, which Australia won 3-1, have sparked heated debate, with critics claiming the Indian star “went overboard” and dented his reputation.
The series saw Australia bounce back after losing the opener in Perth to secure convincing victories in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Rain denied the hosts a likely win in Brisbane.
While the focus for India was the form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the latter drew particular attention not only for his repeated dismissals but also for his controversial behavior on the field.
Kohli’s troubles began on Boxing Day at the MCG, where he shoulder-charged Australian debutant Sam Konstas, an incident that earned him a fine of 20% of his match fee and a demerit point from the ICC. The controversy escalated in the fifth Test in Sydney when Kohli, standing in as captain for the injured Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, made a mocking reference to Australia’s infamous 2018 “Sandpapergate” scandal.
During the game, Kohli turned out his pockets and mimicked rubbing the ball, a gesture seen as a dig at the ball-tampering incident that led to harsh sanctions for three Australian players.
Speaking on ESPN’s Around the Wicket, Simon Katich did not mince words when criticizing Kohli’s actions. “There’s no doubt that Kohli is a modern great of the game, but this tour has been a low point for him,” Katich said. “The shoulder bump in Melbourne and the unnecessary sandpaper gesture in Sydney were unacceptable. That kind of behavior tarnishes his reputation both on and off the field. It’s old news and had no place in this series.”
Aaron Finch echoed similar sentiments. “I said earlier that Kohli thrives in confrontation—it brings out the best in him. But this time, he went too far. The shoulder bump was completely out of line, and the sandpaper reference? Unnecessary and unprofessional,” Finch remarked. “It felt like he was trying to ignite a fire within himself, but it backfired. It wasn’t the Kohli we’re used to seeing.”
For a player of Kohli’s stature, known for his fiery passion and unmatched skill across formats, this series has presented a rare dent in his reputation. Virat Kohli’s likely final hurrah in the BGT on Australian soil will be remembered not only for his failure with the bat but also for his antics that left a sour taste in most people’s mouths.