Virat Kohli is a headline writer's dream as he always comes up with something unique on the field – with and without willow in hand. On Day 3 of India's third Test match against Australia at Melbourne, the Indian skipper won over the fans by displaying class while reacting to abuse from the home fans.
Going into the Test with the series tied at 1-1, India has been in the ascendency since Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. The visitors posted a huge total of 443-7 on a pitch that has since been deteriorating with increasingly uneven bounce.
The trouble for the hosts was compounded courtesy terrific Indian bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja to dismiss the Australian top-order. In the face of adversity, the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground started cheering "Kohli is a w**nker!"
This chant came from the Bay 13 which is a section of tiered seating at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that occupies part of the Great Southern Stand behind the slips for a right-handed batsman, usually where the third man is fielding.
But the offensive chant failed to get the desired outcome from the Indian skipper who did not lose his cool. Instead, Kohli simply took his Indian cap off and bowed to the fans indulging in the sing-song.
Kohli had recently come under the scanner for his "over the top" attitude at Perth but this classy gesture won the fans over.'
India captain @imVkohli was greeted with the chant of "#Kohli is a wanker" by the MCG crowd.
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) December 28, 2018
His response... pic.twitter.com/YUTUh3woIy
If @imVkohli is wanker than your whole Australia team is ...... Oh leave it ????
— priyanshu kasundra (@priyanshukasun1) December 28, 2018
Haha love it
— Viraj (@viraj_vaghela) December 28, 2018
Love this guy!
— saltywalrus_ ? (@joshwrigley) December 28, 2018
A fan praised Kohli's sense of humour.
Good sense of humor.
— Peter Gerard (@itzpetergerard) December 28, 2018
This fan criticised the Aussie fans for their choice of words.
Is there a more uninspiring sight then bay 13 cheering kohlis a wanker #AUSvIND @GerardWhateley
— simon cutler (@cutsywutsy) December 28, 2018
Mohammed Shami struck just before tea to remove Pat Cummins and Australia has been reduced to 145-7 with captain Tim Paine batting alongside Mitchell Starc.