I Felt That Wasn't Right To Do That At That Moment: Virat Kohli On Indian Fans Booing Steve Smith During 2019 WC

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Australian great Steve Smith got together for an informal chat on the eve of the first Test between two proud cricketing nations on the eve of the first Test at the Adelaide Oval on December 17.

The duo chatted up a storm about a whole host of different topics including Virat Kohli’s gesture towards Indian fans to stop booing Steve Smith.

The incident in question took place when India and Australia locked horns in the 2019 World Cup group-stage encounter at the Kennington Oval in London where Steve Smith once again found himself in the firing line as a contingent of Indian fans started taunting and booing him over his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

Virat, who was batting at the time, immediately signaled the fans to stop booing the Australian captain besides apologizing to Smith in person. Virat’s gesture earned him plaudits from the folklore and he even went on to receive the ICC ‘Spirit of Cricket Award’.

When asked about the reason behind the gesture, the Indian captain said it was pretty instinctive besides adding that he felt it was unfair to target the individual personally.

“I feel like in life nothing can be that permanent that you carry it on for life. People make mistakes and they learn from it and I felt like it’s not fair to target an individual personally, that’s what I felt at that moment,” Virat Kohli said.

“Instinctively I told them not to boo you because you were fielding there (on the boundary) for quite a bit. As much as you play against each other there’s a human side to things as well and at the end of the day we’re here chatting now, we do have a chat a few times during the IPL as well,” he added.

“Yes, you’re competitive on the field but you don’t want to go nasty as such. Long term you do realise the importance of things from a larger perspective and I felt that wasn’t right to do that at that moment,” Kohli told Smith, who reciprated the heartfelt gesture by sending him a text message after the game.

Steve Smith also opened up about the hostility that he received post his comeback from the 12-month ban. He, however, added that the hostile reactions did not bother him one bit as his prime focus was to perform with the bat and entertain.

“There was a lot of negative stuff towards me when I first came back and I like to prove people wrong, so it’s kind of like ‘You guys are booing me, screw you,” Steve Smith said.

“I’m going to try and do whatever I can to either keep you quiet or make you come at me even more’. I just want to perform and entertain,” he added.

Also Read- Virat Kohli Expecting A Friendly Yet Competitive Series; Says Holding Grudges Pointless

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SPECIAL – The two greats – @imVkohli & @stevesmith49 talk cricket.

Two batting geniuses sit down to talk about their love for the game, batting techniques & having more to life than just cricket.

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