5 instances when Virat Kohli got involved with the crowd

Virat Kohli exhibits his anger at Australian fans in 2012

Kohli is enjoying the form of his life currentlyThere is little doubt about the fact that Virat Kohli is among the most popular players in world cricket these days. His fans are spread out all across the cricketing globe as well as beyond it as he continues to establish himself as one of the best batsmen India has ever produced.Also read: ICC T20 World Cup 2016 ScheduleKohli has managed to draw extreme reactions from crowds wherever he plays. There are times when they showed their appreciation on the 27-year old, particularly in India or countries with a large Indian population. However, there have been moments where crowds have displayed their disgust against Kohli by booing him or getting after him.The Indian Test captain,too, has not taken things lying down and has ensured that he gives one back to his haters. In the recent Asia Cup final against Bangladesh, Virat Kohli, after inflicting a run-out, gestured at a biased crowd at Mirpur suggesting he cannot hear them.There have been other memorable instances of Virat getting involved with the crowd. Here are 5 popular ones:

#1 Kohli\'s present to the Sydney crowd for their abuse

Virat Kohli exhibits his anger at Australian fans in 2012

Easily the most popular incident involving Virat Kohli and an unfavourable crowd came on his first tour to Australia in 2011/12. Almost the entire cricketing fraternity is well versed with the hostility of Australian crowds against players from touring countries.

A younger and angrier version of Virat Kohli fell prey to plenty of abuse at the hands of the Aussie supporters in a Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, Virat's aggressive nature came to the fore when he decided to return it with interest.

He first tried to pretend that he was unable to hear what the people are saying, but followed it up by showing his middle finger to the crowd. Unfortunately for Kohli, his actions were caught on camera and he was fined 50 per cent of his match fee.

#2 Virat Kohli booed by his own countrymen

Kohli expressed his displeasure on being booed (Image Courtesy: Times of India)

The 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League added a unique chapter in Virat Kohli's love-hate relationship with cricket crowds. In a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and the Mumbai Indians, Kohli ended up being booed by an all-Indian crowd at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

While the home team was batting, a collision with bowler Vinay Kumar ensured Ambati Rayudu was dismissed run out from a Virat Kohli direct hit. Livid with the turn of events, the MI fans began booing Virat and called him a cheat.

This behaviour continued even when he came out to bat and led the prolific batsman to vent his frustration over the crowd's actions post the match. Kohli was furious and said that the people seem to have forgotten that he plays for India too.

#3 Australian crowds get more from Kohli

Kohli silences the Aussie crowd

From the events that have transpired in the past few years, Virat Kohli's love affair with Australia and the crowds in the country is one which is built to last. Kohli has been brilliant with the bat in Australian conditions and has also engaged himself a lot with the spectators there.

On his first tour Down Under, he had already stirred up controversy with his infamous middle-finger jibe at fans in one of the Tests. Virat continued to get into the skin of the crowd in the ODI tri-series that followed. After completing a catch in the Australian innings during one of the matches, he silenced the crowd by placing a finger on his lips.

With this, Virat Kohli added yet another entry to his list of encounters involving crowds in Australia.

#4 Kohli angry with opponent fan during IPL 2015

Kohli made his anger over a CSK fan quite evident (Image Courtesy: Cricket Country)

Virat Kohli's image as an epitome of anger has been enhanced even more during IPL matches. There have been instances of him getting involved in ugly on-field altercations with fellow players as well as being an object of hate for crowds.

Kohli has one such incident in the 2015 edition of the world's biggest T20 league as well. After his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, lost a match against the Chennai Super Kings at the Chepauk, a visibly frustrated Virat was walking back to the pavilion. Suddenly, one of the local fans said something to the RCB skipper.

It did not please Virat Kohli one bit and he gave the fan a mouthful before he headed to the dressing room.

#5 Virat Kohli engages with the Australian crowd again

Virat Kohli asks the crowd to be silent

During India's latest limited-overs tour to Australia, Kohli had another one of his crowd moments with the Aussie crowd. Only this time, he handled the situation tactfully and did not react with too much aggression.

While fielding in the 2nd T20I in Melbourne, Virat Kohli got involved with the crowd and gestured at them to remain silent. Apart from from that, Kohli also appeared to be in conversation with the crowd as one could judge by his reactions.

It was a complete reverse of the Virat Kohli that toured Australia in 2012 and the level of maturity he has attained was on full display.

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Edited by Staff Editor