"King to Joker?": Irfan Pathan Criticizes Media’s Treatment of Kohli Amid Controversy

Virat Kohli was put under the spotlight after he had a shoulder bump with Australian debutant Sam Konstas on the first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Critics and Australian media were quick to react showing strong disapproval of Kohli's action. One newspaper even published his picture on the cover page as a "clown," and another edited a picture to show a pacifier in his mouth, which intensified the criticism.

Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, now a member of the commentary team for the series, criticized the Australian media during the furor over what he termed their "immature" and "hypocritical" behavior.

“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.

🗣 @IrfanPathan Pathan doesn’t hold back, calls out the #Australian media on the Kohli-Konstas incident 🫣#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 2 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/S26P7Oq3b0

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 27, 2024

“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 for 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.

Also speaking in defense of Kohli and speaking on the biased treatment of the Indian cricketers by Australian media, Pathan quoted the previous incident where he was abused for celebrating after getting rid of Damien Martyn and he was fined whereas Damien Martyn walked off with none.

“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 me. 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 their 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 the same law when it comes to you,” Pathan concluded.