Virat Kohli called a 'bully' by Australian reporter for 'berating' female reporter at airport

Former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has found himself in hot water with the Australian media after a confrontation at Melbourne airport on Thursday. The incident occurred after Kohli arrived in the city for the fourth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, accompanied by his wife, Anushka Sharma, and their children.

Kohli was reportedly upset when Australian paparazzi, including a Channel 7 reporter, captured footage of him and his family. While celebrities are often photographed and filmed without restrictions in Australia, Kohli was not pleased with the invasion of privacy. He approached the reporter, requesting that any images or videos featuring his children be deleted, although he allowed her to keep footage of him alone.

The situation escalated when Kohli directed his frustration at the female reporter, and Australian media outlets quickly picked up on the incident. Nine sports reporter Tony Jones, in particular, did not hold back in his criticism of Kohli. He referred to the cricketer as a "bully" and accused him of berating the Channel 7 reporter, Nat Yoannidis, who stands at just 5 feet 1 inch.

Jones expressed his displeasure, stating, "He stood over this girl, just absolutely berated her," referring to Kohli’s reaction. He also added, “You’re a global superstar in the world of cricket, and you take umbrage to the fact that the attention is focused on you.” The criticism from Jones and other members of the media has sparked significant backlash against Kohli.

While the confrontation did not lead to further escalation, it has certainly attracted attention in the lead-up to the upcoming Test match between India and Australia. The fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to begin on December 26, with the series tied at 1-1, making Kohli's on-field performance highly anticipated.

In response to the incident, Kohli has not issued any public comments, leaving the matter to simmer in the media. The situation has also led to discussions about the fine line between public and private life for celebrities, with some defending Kohli’s desire for privacy, while others criticize his approach.