Australia vs India: BCCI rubbishes rumours about Virat Kohli-Tim Paine banter

The second Test between Australia and India was won by the hosts as they managed to level the series as well. But more than anything, the heated banter between Virat Kohli and Tim Paine made the headlines with the Aussie media claiming that the Indian captain said something offensive to his counterpart. However, soon after the match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rubbished all the reports about the incident.

It was claimed that Kohli said Paine, “I am the best player in the world and you are just a stand-in captain.” But the BCCI has released an official statement stating that it has been ‘assumed’ and nothing such statement has been passed.

“There are reports doing the rounds in the media and across social media platforms claiming India Captain Virat Kohli got involved in banter with Australia Captain Tim Paine during the 2nd Test at Perth. It is “assumed” that Kohli said, “I am the best player in the world and you are just a stand-in captain”. These claims were based on hearsay and the BCCI would like to bring into notice that no such words were spoken on the field by the Indian captain,” the statement read.

Umpire’s intervention

The on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney had to intervene on the fourth day when both Virat Kohli and Paine had engaged in the verbal duel. They almost collided as well when the latter was taking a single. A lot has already been said in the Aussie media about Kohli’s behaviour on the field.

However, BCCI’s statement must have cleared all the things now and it will be interesting to see how the Australian media reacts to this. Moreover, Kohli didn’t look more interested while handshaking with Paine as well after the match and even the latter had sledged Murali Vijay while asking him about his captain.

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