Virat Kohli’s anger fuels his performances, we all know that. But if you have been following Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 closely, you will realise that Ravichandran Ashwin does not hold back his anger either. Yesterday’s high-scoring clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) had everyone on the edge of the seat.
Ashwin walked in to bat when KXIP needed 27 runs off the last over. Basically, he had to try and hit each and every ball out of the boundary to stay in the game. He succeeded in doing so by hitting a six on the first ball. On the next one he was caught at the boundary by RCB skipper.
Kohli gave him his usual sendoff with a twist. His animated celebration included the ‘mankading’ reference. The KXIP skipper was obviously livid at himself for getting out and probably at the team for not being able to close the game and lose the plot towards the end of runchase.
Kohli-Ashwin episode!https://t.co/DWdqqxyxom
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) April 25, 2019
Not surprisingly, people started criticising Kohli for the animated celebration.
What Kohli did when ‘celebrating’ his catch to dismiss Ravi Ashwin was beyond puerile & reprehensible.
How will their equation be when they play Tests?
Does he think that all is fine after a send-off like that?
Does he even think in the heat of the moment?— Victor Tarapore (@VictorTarapore) April 24, 2019
We like your win but not kohli unprofessional Gestures when #R Ashwin# was out
— IamRaj (@brajukumar1) April 24, 2019
@cricketaakash What Kohli did after Ashwin wicket…?? Isn’t his reaction pathetic? He should react like a captain.
— subham tripathi (@tripathi_subhm) April 24, 2019
Another worst behavior…just sledging Ashwin for the act of mankading but why u guyz didn’t done the same while he used mankading act for India before…
not a virat fan anymore #rcb #ViratKohli #VIVOIPL #Kohli #kohlihater #RCBvKXIP pic.twitter.com/RqsltDUGQ5— varshini03 (@ViratkholiHater) April 25, 2019
In yesterdays match KXIPvsRCB @imVkohli did a very shamefull act after he caught @ashwinravi99 catch he just act like mankading him as ashwin did against RR in other game which is in the rule , kohli should be fine after this act @BCCI @ICC
— karan singh (@karansi12739236) April 25, 2019
However, they forgot that Ashwin’s sendoff to Kohli wasn’t peaceful either.
Karma returns!! @ashwinravi99 started first.. Then @imVkohli paying back! That’s it. #AshwinVsKohli #Ashwin #Kohli #RCBvKXIP #KXIPvRCB #IPL2019 #Bengaluru #RCB #PlayBold pic.twitter.com/cS2Vz8SxhZ
— Chowkidar Shruthi Thumbri (@ShruthiThumbri) April 24, 2019
Wen Ashwin says BC no one cared when Kohli says d same evryone starts advising him.Hypocrisy
Prathi na koduku ki Kohli ki adhe negative anadam common aipoindi
Ah agression tho nee Kohli one of the greatest player ayyadu
Don’t forget the greatest Captain Dada is aggressive too pic.twitter.com/GPm2JC9NMQ— yashwanth reddy (@yashu2498) April 24, 2019
The #Kohli sendoff to #Ashwin after that catch – #thuglife . #RCBvKXIP
As long as it’s just on the field and in the heat of the competition, it’s all fine.. I’m sure both of them respect each other mutually.#RCB scripting a good comeback. Hope they keep the momentum going
— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) April 24, 2019
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Ashwin started it, kohli gave back.
Remember this dialogue ” If u are bad, I am your dad”
— RG18 (@urstrulyRaaji) April 24, 2019
Kohli is aggressive but it is absolutely ok to do with Ashwin the most annoying and saddest player in Ipl #Kohli pic.twitter.com/0ffDiXuAaV
— Noor Ahmed (@The_NoorAhmed) April 24, 2019
Poking the sleeping bear is never a good idea. Though Kohli’s actions cannot be justified, it was only a reaction to what happened in the previous game. Can you really blame someone like him for reacting?
However, Ashwin was mature enough to downplay the exchanges between him and Kohli in the post-match press conference. He said, “I just played with passion, so does he (Virat). That’s it. As simple as that,”.
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