Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, both players in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series, share something in common, that both have been involved in controversies with the Australian media. Just before the IND vs AUS Boxing Test, Virat Kohli was spotted at Melbourne Airport recently, engaging in a heated exchange of words with an Australian media person. After this incident, India’s middle-order batter, who scored a half century in the last test, had another clash with the Australian media. He addressed the media in Hindi and refused to take questions from the Australian press. While this might seem like a negative sign for their image, it could actually work in India’s favour, as such controversies have fuelled Kohli’s performances in the past.
How controversy has backfired for India’s benefit
Controversies often stem from a sense of national pride and a desire to prove critics wrong. Kohli, known for his fiery temperament, has often used such moments to ignite his passion, leading to big performances against Australia. The same could be true for Jadeja, who has shown that such incidents fuel his resolve to perform better.
When Jadeja backfired against England in 2014
Remember when Jadeja was involved in a heated argument with James Anderson during the 2014 Test series in Nottingham? The verbal spat escalated quickly, leading to a tense exchange between both teams. However, in the very next match at Lord’s, Jadeja responded with a stunning performance, scoring 68 runs and taking 4 wickets, helping India win by 95 runs.
Past controversies fueling success
Looking at the past instances, both Kohli and Jadeja have turned heated exchanges into motivation, leading India to victories in crucial matches and series. This could be a positive indicator for their performances in the upcoming Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
