Virat Kohli: The West Australian’s back page of Indian superstar goes viral online

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Virat Kohli: The West ***********’s back page of Indian superstar goes viral online

The back page of Friday’s The West *********** has gone viral, with Indian fans riled up over the depiction of Virat Kohli as a clown.

Kohli clashed with *********** teen debutant Sam Konstas in a fiery incident on Boxing Day, but escaped any serious punishment.

The former Indian captain went out of his way to drop a shoulder into Konstas as he took the attack to the Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, in the first session of the Boxing Day Test.

This newspaper’s back page showed Kohli with a clown nose and the headline ‘Clown Kohli’.

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The coverage has received a massive response on social media from Kohli’s staunch supporters and Indian media outlets.

Kohli was docked 20 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point over the clash because match referee Andy Pycroft classed it a level one offence.

It comes as some of the game’s greats say Kohli’s punishment was too light, including former *********** captain Ricky Ponting, who feels letting Kohli off the hook could have flow-on effects.

“Personally, I don’t think it is harsh enough. Let’s have a think about the enormity yesterday, this is probably the most-watched day of cricket all around the world,” he told Channel 7.

“Imagine if that happens in a grade game on the weekend. I think people will think that is almost acceptable now.

“He is a role model, he is someone that the cricketing world looks up to, so I personally don’t think that the fine was harsh enough.”

Indian great Sunil Gavaskar said any fine needs to be more significant to actually deter players from that sort of behaviour.

“That’s a slap on the wrist I think,” he said.

“All these players are highly paid professionals and any fine has to be something that will be a deterrent.

“I just hope that Kohli, being one of the greatest cricketers in the world, is not remembered for this, he has to be remembered for what he’s done with the bat, how he has brought energy to cricket in India.”

Many also feel Kohli should have stopped himself before charging into the 19-year-old and one user on X even said The West should have been “more brutal”.

“*********** media choose to use ‘Clown Kohli’ instead of celebrating Sam Konstas debut. This is why Virat Kohli is brand in Australia,” one Indian fan posted.

“From king to clown … unreal downfall for Virat Kohli,” another said.

India’s batting coach Abhishek Nayar claimed to have not seen or heard of the incident in a post-play press conference.

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