Indian Media Praise ‘Spoilt Brat’ Virat Kohli For ‘Dealing with Australia the Aussie way’

Indian media praised Virat Kohli's way of dealing Australian players. According to some, the Indian vice-captain deals with Australia "the Aussie way."

Kohli is the leader of the "Indian sledging unit," according Indian Express. The sledging team is apparently ready to deal with Australian players the way they deal with other players. The Indian batsman put "sleeping bear" Mitchell Johnson back to sleep after Indian sledging attacks had earlier backfired and woken up the Australian fast bowler. It apparently started when Johnson's bouncer hit Kohli's helmet early in the series. Even though the Australian players were apparently concerned if the Indian batsman was alright, things were different at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, Dec. 28. The players exchanged glares while Kohli turned out to be the winner with his bat. Johnson eventually toppled Kohli off his feet when he threw the ball directly to the stumps. Things apparently got heated up as Kohli's concentration seems to have been affected by the incident. Umpires talked to Kohli when he seemed to be passing comments against Australian batsmen when they came out to bat for the third innings. However, Kohli explained that he apparently explained that he was talking to the Indian bowler.

Indian Express reports that Kohli was "the soft target" when he came to Australia in 2011-12. Australia sledged the young kid while the crowd supported the home team, it says. Kohli's response included a fighting fifty and splendid ton with a middle finger. It also says, even though India lost the series 0-4, the tour apparently revealed the fighting nature of Kohli. FirstPost praises Kohli's performance at press conferences which are "a breath of fresh air" like his batting. Kohli's press conferences are not burdened by prejudice even though most Indian players usually stick to clichés in front of the press. "They called me a spoilt brat and I said maybe that's how I am," Kohli said at the press conference, "You hate me and I like that." Kohli also said that he would not respect someone who did not show any respect for him.

Some of the former cricketers in Australia and India believe that Kohli should focus more on his performance and less on verbal battles.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au