WTC Final: Virat Kohli leaves fans disappointed after not removing Coca-Cola bottles in press conference like Cristiano Ronaldo

Veteran footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been in the headlines lately, not because of his on-field performance but for his actions in a press conference. Addressing the media during Euro 2020, the Portugal star removed two Coca-Cola bottles present on the table, gesturing carbonated drinks doesn’t have any place in his healthy lifestyle. While Ronaldo was lauded for endorsing a nutritious diet, several prominent celebrities were called out for promoting beverage items following this episode.

Recently, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli also found himself in a similar situation as he addressed the journalists ahead of the much-awaited ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand. Like Ronaldo’s conference table, the talismanic batsman also had a couple of Coca-Cola bottles in front of him. Although Kohli didn’t take any sip of the soft drink, he didn’t remove the bottles either.

Fans expected Virat Kohli to follow Cristiano Ronaldo

Now, Kohli is also known for his tight fitness regime and strict diet. However, the 32-year-old faced criticism for not removing the bottles from the table like Ronaldo did. Notably, the veteran Indian batsman is known to be a huge Ronaldo fan and he has praised the Juventus star on multiple occasions. However, several fans weren’t amused seeing Kohli not following the football legends’ footsteps and letting the soft drink bottles stay on the table.

Kohli is a fake Ronaldo fanboy because he still hasn't moved those coke bottles infront of him.

— ⚔️ ☬ (@ThatGuyJSR) June 17, 2021

Coke update from the World Test Championship

Williamson and Kohli both leave their bottles in place. That's about as exciting as the pre-match pressers have got.

— Rory Dollard (@thervd) June 17, 2021

WTC Final: Virat Kohli leaves fans disappointed by NOT removing Coca Cola bottles like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo

— Cricket News & Score (@cricket_score) June 19, 2021

Very disappointed that Virat Kohli didn't remove the Coke bottles from his table and say "paani piyo re" during the presser #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/sqNWlga8ES

— Sohil Nikam (@sohilnikam) June 17, 2021

International stars and sportspersons have more guts then desi counterparts. I can't imagine Kohli or Akshay Kumar doing what #ronaldo did with #coke.

— Rachit Sharma (@_WeakestLink) June 18, 2021

Meanwhile, Kohli has a stern challenge in front of him as he’ll marshal the Indian troop in the WTC final against New Zealand. For the first time, a world title is at stake in a Test match, and both teams must leave no stones unturned to emerge victorious. Team India indeed have several odds against their favour as the side landed in England on June 3 and subsequently underwent a 10-day quarantine.

Hence, they didn’t get much time for preparation. However, one must not forget their knack of defying the odds. On the contrary, New Zealand’s confidence would be sky high as the conditions in England are pretty much similar to what they play back home. Moreover, they defeated hosts England 1-0 in a Test series recently and would be raring to upset the Indians as well. Meanwhile, Day 1 of the WTC final was entirely washed out due to persistent rain.