Australia vs India 2018: Virat Kohli Comes Up With Subtle Response to Kerry O'Keeffe Taunt

Indian National Cricket team skipper Virat Kohli attributed the emergence and equally the success of Jasprit Bumrah to India’s amazing domestic structure in a subtle yet classy response to the uncharitable on-air comments made by the former Australian cricketers Kerry O’Keeffe and Mark Waugh. However, Kohli’s men won the Melbourne Test convincingly by 137 runs and took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the ongoing four-match series.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Kohli lauds the first-class setup of India for satisfactory results on the ground zero. He credited domestic fold for nursing the youngsters to excel in the top-flight cricket.

“Our first-class cricket is amazing, which is why we won. Credit must go to first-class set-up in India, which challenges our fast bowlers in India. And that helps them abroad,” Kohli said without taking names.

Moreover, it was clear that Kohli’s comments were meant for former  Australian leg-break bowler O’Keeffe.

In the meantime, Jasprit Bumrah was awarded as Man of the Match for his match haul of nine for 86. He even made it a point to mention the contribution of Ranji Trophy is behind his success in Test circuit.

“We train very hard and we are used to bowling a lot of overs in Ranji cricket, so the body is doing well,” Bumrah said.

Everyone has a say along with Virat Kohli on O’Keeffe’s comments

However, it all started on Day 1 when O’Keefe made an unacceptable comment on debutant Mayank Agarwal. He spoke how Agarwal had managed to slam a triple-century in the domestic circuit.

“Apparently, he got the triple (ton) against the Railways canteen staff,” O’Keefe said.

Later, O’Keefe apologised for the comment. He said that he didn’t try to demean the standard of Indian cricket.

“I was mentioning the runs Agarwal got in first-class cricket in India and there’s been a reaction. There was no way I was demeaning the standard, it was tongue in cheek” he said.

India head coach Ravi Shastri is not happy with the comments of O’Keeffe. Shastri cherish the moment when Agarwal put up a good show in the first innings of the Melbourne Test.

“He (Mayank) has got a message for Kerry ‘when you do open your canteen; he wants to come and smell the coffee. Agarwal wants to compare it to the ones back in India. Coffee here’s better or the ones back home’,” Shastri commented during an interview with Fox Sports, with O’Keefe also on air at that point of time.

India will face Australia at Sydney, the Test will be commencing from 3rd January, 2019.