After the third test in Gabba ended in a draw, Team India has now reached Melbourne for the boxing day test. However, things got a little heated up ahead of the match with Virat Kohli involved in an altercation with an Australian journalist. According to a report in The West Australian, the reason Kohli was upset at the cameras pointed towards his family. The India stalwart has been very clear about the cameras to be kept away from his kids - Vamika and Akaay.
Virat Kohli gets into a dispute with Australian media over privacy concerns. He refuses to let them take pictures of his family, but the media argues that the airport is a public place. pic.twitter.com/Eer12NYxgZ
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) December 19, 2024
The report further stated that Kohli was heard saying, “With my kids I need some privacy, you can’t film without asking me,”. However once he cleared the air with media when explained that his kids weren’t being filmed, Kohli shook the Channel 7 cameraman’s hand.
Can Kohli Help India retain Border Gavaskar Trophy?
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli hasn't been in great form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He got the series off to a great start and smashed a hundred in the first Test in Perth, however, it was followed by a string of low scores. Kohli has struggled againt deliveries outside off, constantly getting caught by the keeper or at slips. India need Virat Kohli at his vintage best to win the Border-Gavaskar trophy, but for that to happen, Kohli needs to find ways to avoid fetching at balls outside off.
Not just Kohli, but captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have also flopped in the previous two matches. KL Rahul has looked in sublime touch but has lacked support from the other end, resulting in batting collapses. India need fare better with the bat in the remaining two games to have any hopes of winning the series.
WTC Final Berth At Stake
India need a win in Melbourne and the following Test in Sydney to keep the World Test Championship (WTC) chances afloat. If India can finish the series with a scoreline of 3-1, they would qualify for the WTC final. They could also qualify if the series ends 2-2, but other teams could leapfrog them in the table. India will then need help from Sri Lanka and South Africa to keep hopes alive. The fourth Test will get underway on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.