Syed Kirmani Backs Virat Kohli's Aggressive On-Field Behaviour

Former Indian National Cricket Team cricketer, Syed Kirmani defends Indian skipper, Virat Kohli for his aggressiveness on the field. However, the former wicketkeeper-batsman also said sledging in cricket is something which is not new and has been prevalent since the game’s inception.

Kirmani defends Kohli’s on-field attitude

Moreover, some instances raised many eyebrows on the Indian skipper. It was seen that Virat Kohli along with Australian skipper Tim Paine got caught embroiled in an ugly spat. In addition to, Virat Kohli also showed some aggression when Shaun Marsh got out of Mohammed Shami’s delivery in the second Test.

However, after Naseeruddin Shah commented on Kohli’s on-field attitude, Kirmani said everyone has his perspective to look at things. He also added an individual could not change instincts.

“Naseeruddin Shah and everybody else have their opinions. Everybody looks at things with different perspective. So, I have nothing to contradict with what Naseeruddin Shah has to say about Kohli. Look, there are natural instincts embedded in everybody. Those natural instincts in their blood cannot be changed,” Syed Kirmani said.

Furthermore, the 68-year-old spoke about the disadvantages of their time. Syed said it was then they used to play fair cricket and sledging was the part of the Test cricket, and it will remain forever.

Sledging will never die – Syed

“We never had the advantage of IT and third umpire, but we played cricket in gentlemen’s spirit. I am very proud of it. However, there was sledging in our time too. It will not die,” Kirmani added.

Syed Kirmani was replying to a question on Shah’s comments about Virat Kohli on the sidelines of 100-year celebration of Bangalore United Cricket Club.

Shah, on December 18, had slammed Kohli by calling him the world’s “worst behaved batsman” in a tweet. The last sentence of Shah’s post was about Kohli’s recent social media post, asking cricket fans to leave India, who admired foreign cricketers.

Meanwhile, the former wicketkeeper also said the fines imposed by the third umpire prove that the game is not played in gentleman’s spirit now.