The Australian media’s double standards reached fever pitch during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Once hailing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as cricketing gods, they’ve now turned to derision and ridicule. Yes, Pat Cummins won the fourth BGT Test and could even confirm a spot at the WTC final, but the Aussie media has lost it’s significance, at least, in India.
Pre-BGT Kohli was King as per media
Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) began, the Australian media couldn’t stop singing praises of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Headlines in Hindi, op-eds gushing over Kohli’s aura, and grand narratives about the “King’s return” set the tone. “Kohliwood” was also a term made up by the Aussie media. They knew well that the duo’s stature would drive global eyeballs to their coverage. Kohli and Rohit were celebrated not just as cricketers but as cultural icons bridging nations.
From “King Kohli” to “Clown Kohli”
Fast forward to the Boxing Day Test, and the same media have taken a sharp U-turn. Kohli’s shoulder-barge incident with Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old debutant, has been blown out of proportion. The “King” has suddenly become the “Clown,” and headlines mock his struggles with the bat. Kohli, who valiantly faced 85 deliveries before being dismissed cheaply, is now a target for cheap potshots like “Karma” and “Clown Kohli.”
The Australian media’s treatment of Rohit Sharma is no better. As captain, Rohit showed frustration when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped a crucial catch. While emotions are part of the game, the media seized this moment to slap a “Captain Cry Baby” label on him, complete with a cartoonish pacifier image. The same media that once touted him as India’s stoic leader is now gleefully tearing him down.
This witch hunt reeks of hypocrisy. The same media that lionized these players pre-series is now using them as punching bags to generate controversy. The relentless mockery doesn’t just undermine the players but also exposes the media’s shallowness.
