Virat Kohli clarifies his post match comments, says answer was blown 'way out of proportion'

What’s the story?

The series might have ended, but the aftershocks continue to come out. A few days after bluntly admitting to his changed equation with the Australian team after the Test series, Indian captain Virat Kohli has come out with a clarification regarding his press conference in Dharamsala. He stated that his comments were blown ‘way out of proportion’, and he continues to be in good terms with most of the players from the Aussie side.

In case you didn’t know…

After clinching the series 2-1 with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over the visitors, Virat Kohli (who missed the final Test due to a shoulder injury) was asked whether his relationship with the Aussies had soured. Taking a completely different stance from what he had taken before the start of the Test series, (when he had said that he was really good friends with all of them off the field), Kohli indicated that the friendships were over and his equation with the Aussies had clearly changed, even though he didn’t expect it to happen.

The heart of the matter

In a series of tweets posted from his official handle, Virat Kohli stated that his post match comments were blown out of proportion, and his stand was directed to just a couple of individuals. He also said that he continues to be in good terms with the few players he knows, and has played with for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, his IPL side, and that doesn’t change.

1/2 My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team but
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017

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2/2only a couple of individuals.I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017

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What’s next?

The Test series having ended, the action now moves to the IPL, a league that has helped bridge the gap between players from different countries and form new friendships. While none of the current Australian team players are part of Kohli’s RCB side, he will lock horns with Steve Smith when the latter’s Rising Pune Supergiant faces the Bangalore franchise for two games, the first of which is on April 16.

Author’s Take

It is heartening to see the Indian captain come out with a clarification regarding a statement that created so much stir. While Kohli admitted that his equation has changed, he has also buried the hatchet by releasing a statement regarding the same, making sure that the incident finally closes. With the IPL set to go underway, Kohli clearly wants to start afresh, and not keep any loose ends from the Australian series when he dons the red and black jersey at the Chinnaswamy.

Extra cover: IPL 2017: Virat Kohli likely to miss RCB’s opening games owing to shoulder injury