'First you make him 'king' and then 'joker'? - Irfan Pathan lashes out at Australian media for 'hypocrisy' amid Kohli-Konstas saga

Virat Kohli has been under the scanner ever since he shoulder-bumped Australia debutant Sam Konstas. on the opening day of the Boxitng Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

The move was expectedly not well received by the critics and the Australian media came hard at the veteran following the instance, with one of the cover pages going as far as portraying the veteran as a "clown". The heat did not recede their as another newspaper morphed a pacifier in Kohli’s mouth.

Amidst all that, former India pacer, Irfan Pathan, who is part of broadcasting panel to cover the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has called out Australian media for their "immature" approach and "hypocrisy".

Also Check: Virat Kohli walks to bat amid boos at MCG

“First of all, the media and newspapers here are crossing the limits of 'doglapan' (hypocrisy). The reason [I'm saying this] is that you make him a 'king', and then if he shows aggression, you term him a 'joker'. We have never supported that thing [needless aggression]. We have said the same thing. The referee will do his job, the law has to be followed. That has been done,” Pathan said on Star Sports.

“But after that, you are calling him a joker. After the king, the joker means you want to sell him, you want to make cricket more famous. But at what cost? You are using the shoulder of Virat Kohli; you are trying to climb on it and exploit his name to make a personal gain. We will not accept that you want to leverage on the market value of that cricketer, you are trying to take advantage of the market value and want to hold say on both sides of the coin. This is unacceptable” he added. 

While backing the unfair treatment Kohli is subjected to in the Australia by the media, Pathan recalled an incident to display the treatment Indian cricketers have been subjected to over the years. He recalled a scuffle where he dismissed Damien Martyn and received abuse in return as he celebrated. He added that while he had to pay the fine, Martyn walked unscathed.

Also Read: Gavaskar defends Virat Kohli's fine after Konstas incident

“Damien Martyn - when I was first fined, when I had taken out his wicket during the previous tour, I only clapped. I clapped, but Martyn started abusing. But he quietly took over. I came in front of him clapping. I was fined and he got away with it. And that happened here in Australia. So, this is thier character, they have been like this for so many years. You exert the law on those who come from outside, but you will not follow when the same law when it comes to you,” Pathan concluded.