Australia vs India: Allan Border backs Virat Kohli for his intense attitude on the field

India are currently playing a four-match Test series against Australia, which is currently level at 1-1. After the hosts managed to humble Tim Paine and Co by 31 runs at Adelaide Oval, they slumped to a huge defeat by 146 runs at the new Perth Stadium. Amidst some riveting cricket, there has also been some on-field banters, mostly involving the enigmatic Indian captain Virat Kohli.

The 30-year-old has been seen hurling stern words at Paine during the course of the second encounter and subsequently, he has also been criticised. The likes of Michael Hussey and Sanjay Manjrekar slammed the Delhi-born cricketer for the behaviour. Even veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah lashed out at Virat and said that he’s the worst-behaved cricketer.

It’s good to see guys with that passion

In the meantime, former Australian cricketer Allan Border came out in support of the Indian skipper and went on to say that characters like Kohli are a rarity in today’s cricket. Moreover, the retired cricketer said that Kohli would desperately want to win an overseas series for the national side.

“I haven’t seen anyone sort of carry on so much as a captain when his side takes a wicket. It’s really over the top but it’s good in a way. You can see some passion about what he’s trying to do. There are not many characters in our game at the moment. The professional era has sort of beaten that out to a certain degree,” Border was quoted as saying in a Fox Sports podcast on Thursday.

“It’s good to see guys with that passion, drive and a bit of character. To drive the team to be number one, which he’s achieved, but to win away from home is one of those important things you notice as a captain. I think he’s feeling that pinch,” he added.

Kohli, apart from his impressive leadership, has also done well with the bat in hand. He has thus far notched 177 runs in a couple of matches at an average of 44.25 with a top score of 123 in the first innings of the Perth Test.

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