Cricket, a game with a worldwide fan base, is enjoyed through a range of tournaments that enthrall audiences across formats. From the traditional Ashes to the contemporary T20 extravaganzas, these tournaments present the best of the sport. Here's a glimpse of the world's top 10 most popular cricket tournaments, ranked according to their stature, viewership, and cultural influence.

1. ICC Men's Cricket World Cup (50-over): 

The ICC Cricket World Cup, held every four years, is the pinnacle of One Day International (ODI) cricket. Since its inception in 1975, the tournament has become a global sporting spectacle, drawing massive audiences across the world. The 2023 edition further cemented its legendary status, with Australia emerging as champions. This edition attracted over a billion viewers, highlighting the tournament’s immense popularity and cultural impact. With intense competition, passionate fans, and unforgettable moments, the World Cup remains cricket’s most iconic and prestigious event on the international stage.

2. The Ashes (Test Series): 

The Ashes was a name given to the Test cricket series played between England and Australia, two of cricket's biggest rivals, with an illustrious and historical history dating back to 1882. The Ashes is a traditional series with fierce rivalries between England and Australia, with an interesting history. Test matches make for some of the best rivalries in sport, and The Ashes is full of twists and turns, tells tales of intense encounters, contains many memorable moments, and brings out passionate fans across the world. With a colourful history and high stakes, The Ashes series is loved by experts and fans, representing the highest level of Test cricket and the intense rivalry between two of cricket's greatest nations.

3. Indian Premier League (IPL): 

Since its start dates back in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has developed into a global T20 behemoth by combining the finest international players with
India's best. Famously nicknamed the league of 'T20 cricket with Bollywood,' the IPL is known for its fast-paced matches and thick crowd following, where it has included a significant portion of financial success in the world of sports. The 2025 season, which resumed play on May 17 after its brief pause, is not just pulling the biggest numbers in viewership but pulling millions of people on the ground and online to witness the grand showcase. The IPL is unique in the sense that it combines a mix of fun and top-tier cricket that cannot be replicated within the breadth of global cricketing sensations.

See Also: IPL 2025: Qualification Scenario for Gujarat Titans (GT)

4. Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Test Series):

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which takes place every two years between India and Australia, is one of the fiercest rivalries in Test cricket. This name connects to legends Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, and has created a strong fan following due to the fierce competition, outstanding cricket, and contributions to the World Test Championship standings. This series has had its share of outstanding Test matches and notable moments, and draws large audiences and prestige. It demonstrates the strength, passion, and resilience of two of the strongest teams in world cricket.

5. ICC Men's T20 World Cup:

First held in 2007, this biennial cricket event has rapidly grown into a global spectacle. Known for its fast-paced, thrilling matches, it appeals especially to younger audiences who enjoy the excitement of the shorter format. The 2024 edition, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA, saw record-breaking attendance and massive viewership, cementing its place as one of cricket’s most popular tournaments. With each passing edition, it continues to gain momentum, showcasing explosive talent and high-stakes drama that captivates fans across the world.

6. ICC Women's Cricket World Cup:

Held every four years, the Women’s 50-over World Cup has steadily grown in stature, showcasing the finest talent in women’s cricket. Featuring top international players, the tournament has become a major event on the global sporting calendar. The 2022 edition in New Zealand highlighted the rising popularity and competitiveness of women’s cricket, drawing significant viewership and media attention. As more nations invest in developing their women’s teams, the tournament continues to deliver thrilling contests and inspiring performances, further elevating the profile of women’s cricket on the world stage.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Sunil Gavaskar's emotional urge to BCCI after tragic Pahalgam attack

7. Pakistan Super League (PSL):

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has become one of the premier T20 cricket leagues in the world since its inception in 2016. The 2025 season, which began on February 16 and concluded on May 25, has entertained fans with stars like Babar Azam and Shadab Khan. With high domestic and international viewership, the PSL has helped rejuvenate interest in cricket in Pakistan, while also highlighting emerging local talent. The league has seen intense competition, high production value, and a loyal following in both Pakistan and abroad.

8. Big Bash League (BBL):

Since its launch in 2011, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) has rapidly grown into a major T20 domestic competition. Known for its vibrant and festive atmosphere, the BBL offers an exciting platform for young and emerging players to showcase their skills on a big stage. The league’s high-energy matches and family-friendly environment attract large crowds and TV audiences every season. By blending top-notch cricket with entertainment, the BBL has become a beloved event in Australia’s sporting calendar, helping to develop future stars while providing thrilling action for fans across the country.

9. Caribbean Premier League (CPL):

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was created in 2013, bringing T20 excitement to the Caribbean. T20 matches enjoyed by star players such as Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell brought international praise and attention quickly to the CPL for the excitement of the matches and the vibrancy of the island and its culture. With the CPL, high-quality cricket is joined with the colourful and vibrant Caribbean people and culture. The region is passionate about cricket, its clubs, and their celebrations are unmatched inside and outside on the streets of their homeland. Additionally, the CPL contains eventful displays of cricket that involve local funding resources and cricketers inside entertaining and vibrant matches, plus the unique experiences of Caribbean islands as a part of the game which nobody else can. The CPL has transitioned to becoming one of the main events on cricket's annual calendar of cricket, celebrates the best local talents, while providing entertaining cricket that represents the soul of the iCaribbean islands.

10. Asia Cup: 

Every two years since 1984, the Asia Cup, a regional giant dominated by India and Pakistan, has been a biennial ODI and T20 competition. The 2025 version promises to be a highlight. This series, covering Test, ODI, and T20 formats, speaks volumes about cricket's expansive popularity and its power to engage one billion-plus people across the globe.

Virat Kohli's performance in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) has drawn a lot of focus because it has led to many questions being raised about whether his issues could be linked to retirement thoughts. Kohli's BGT performances were very inconsistent, with scores of 5, 100*, 7, 11, 3, 36, 5, and 17, amassing a total of 190 runs in 9 innings with an average of 23.75. Nevertheless, Kohli's century in Perth was a reminder that Kohli still has a lot of talent when in form; therefore, the inconsistency over the series raised concern about his mindset and form at the moment.

Experts noted Kohli had continued issues with his technique, especially outside the off stump. This led to his dismissals during the series also opening the conversation about his technique. Formerly iconic Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting suggested Kohli may be too focused on trying not to make mistakes, therefore limiting his natural ability to play his own game. Certainly, Ponting questioned Kohli's mental state and may have been too focused on merely surviving. Furthermore, playing the new ball where Kohli may not be comfortable if he is used to 'starting slowly on occasions when it looks best for batting,' as former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara noted when referring to Kohli.

Beyond technique, Kohli’s body language throughout the series has sparked debate. While he has remained animated on the field, his demeanor with the bat has appeared unusually tense. Some suggested that this under-stress body language could mean he has been stirred up internally, maybe due to the pressures of expectation and thinking about his cricketing future. With mounting talk about his retirement, we might be seeing Kohli also grappling with the pressure of his performance alongside some difficult personal decision-making, which could certainly make some impact on his usual composure and clarity of decision-making at the crease.

Retirement Speculations and Impact on Performance

The speculation surrounding Kohli's retirement raises the stakes for discussions around Kohli. Sources close to the cricketer suggest that Kohli is contemplating retiring from Test cricket before the other England tours in 2025. The retirement speculation has led some to postulate that his form and performances might be impacted because he is contemplating retirement, and the thinking of big decisions under that stress will impact decisions he makes in crucial moments. 

Also Read: BCCI considering new locations for concluding remainder of IPL 2025: Know about all locations in contention

Despite the trouble he is facing on the cricket field, Kohli is still one of the most relevant players in current Indian cricket. The question of whether he retires or continues has massive implications for the future of Indian Test cricket. His legacy is secure, and while his performances during the BGT 2024–25 raised numerous questions, and although he may be considered to have faced adversity before and risen once again.

Travis Head has turned out to be the most discussed Australian cricketer among Indian cricket enthusiasts. Be it his brilliant knock in the 2023 World Test Championship final, the agony he inflicted in the ODI World Cup final in the same year, or his assertive batting performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Head has consistently performed against India. His aggressive batting has frequently arrived at the most inopportune moment for Indian supporters transforming close matches into agonizing losses.

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025, LSG vs MI: Here's why Rohit Sharma not playing today in Lucknow

But there is a different side to this tale. Head is frequently depicted as the villain when he turns out for Australia, but Indian fans treat him to a rather different kind of affection while he turns out for the IPL. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, he is greeted with warm support and adoration. The juxtaposition is something that even Head finds amusing.

A Love-Hate Relationship with India

Talking about Indian fans, Head said to News18, I take it as it comes. I respect the fact that India is such a big country with such a big following. I've been fortunate to play well in a few games. Some of the reactions online are funny to me it doesn't push me to do more, I just try to enjoy and play well.Head acknowledged he's had starring roles against India in the past 18 months, but he also acknowledged where credit was due. They've played well against us too. I feel that connection with the fans, he said.

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Yet, it has not always been smooth sailing for him. In 2022, he lost his national contract and performed poorly in a stint at Sussex in England. But then, one day, after getting a brisk 49, he decided to just relax and play his natural game. That is the turning point in his career.

From his initial knocks in 2018 to his latest match-winning performances, Travis Head has become India's latest cricket villain respected for his talent, hated for the heartbreaks he inflicts, yet always respected. Regardless of whether booed in Aussie yellow or cheered in SRH orange, Head has certainly made a lasting impression on Indian cricket supporters.

Recently, cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy shared an interesting story of how, while using Virat Kohli's shoes, he scored a century in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). This special moment showed the two players friendship and support for each other.

Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz had at one time during the series talked about his shoe size. Recently, a cricketer named Nitish Kumar Reddy shared an interesting after wearing Virat Kohli's shoes, he had scored a century in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
This unique moment indicated the two players camaraderie and encouragement of one another.

Somewhere in the series, Virat Kohli was talking about his shoe size to Sarfaraz. Sarfaraz said he was a 9. Then Virat asked Nitish, What's your shoe size. Nitish being keen to wear Virat's shoes, quickly took an educated guess and said, I told Virat  bhai 10, though he was not sure.

Though the shoes did not fit, Nitish was willing to wear them. Virat, being courteous to him, gave him the shoes, and Nitish wore them for his next game. The result was tremendous-Nitish played a superb century. Nitish believed that luck favored him after wearing Virat's shoes.

ALSO SEE: Watch: Sanju Samson Set to Play as a Batter, Riyan Parag Leads the Team in IPL 2025

Nitish was blessed by this moment and eagerly anticipated wearing the shoes of one of India's great cricketers. It was a dream realized for him. This was a worthwhile experience in his cricketing life.

This event also portrays the camaraderie between Indian cricketers. These events off the field contribute to the fun and worth of cricket. Nitish Kumar Reddy's event reminds us that cricket is not just about playing, but also about creating memories with your team and enjoying the ride.

Ravichandran Ashwin on Rishabh Pant: A Rare Tribute to a Unique Talent

Cricket players such as Rishabh Pant are unfathomably valuable in the Indian cricket world. That's why Ravichandran Ashwin doesn't often make a whole YouTube video about just one player, but for someone such as Pant, he made an exception. This person's talent for hitting amazing shots against the bowlers, and also being able to hang there when things get hard, is what makes him stand out.

This was exemplified in the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test between India and Australia, where Pant displayed both facets of his game. In the first innings, he scored a gritty 98-ball 40, followed by a scintillating 33-ball 61 in the second. While the second-innings blitz earned widespread acclaim, Ashwin reminded fans of the importance of Pant’s fighting knock in the first innings. “One opinion about Rishabh was that he plays a lot of shots, and he needs to fight it out in Test cricket. I’ve always grown up hearing that you have to fight it out. In Sydney, he played two different knocks in one single game. He got hit everywhere and scored a 40.

It will be the least spoken innings of Rishabh Pant. It is very unfair,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. The veteran spinner also hailed Pant as one of the best Test batters since the inception of the World Test Championship (WTC), a significant compliment in itself. Yet, Ashwin’s focus on Pant’s often-underrated defensive technique caught the most attention

ALSO READ: Indian wicketkeeper-batter can be rested from England series

Ravi Ashwin talking about Rishabh Pant. 🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/gKp0YHnDD4

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 10, 2025

Pant’s Defence: An Underrated Asset

Ashwin said that Joe Root has been on another level when it comes to batting lately. Over the past seven years, batting's really changed. A Test cricket? It's apparently concentrated on how you handle the game moment by moment. After he scored a fantastic fifty in the second innings, everyone started cheering for him. They ended that awful first innings and just focused on how well he played the second time.Ashwin highlighted that Pant’s defence is among the best in world cricket, an attribute rarely discussed in Indian cricketing circles. “We must realise that Rishabh Pant rarely gets out playing a defence. He’s got one of the best defences in world cricket. Defence has become a challenging aspect. He has the best defence with a soft hand. I have bowled to him a lot in the nets. He doesn’t get out; he doesn’t edge, and he doesn’t get LBW. He has the best defence. I have tried telling him this,” Ashwin said.

The Need for a Middle Ground

Ashwin said he's got all the moves, reverse sweep, slog sweep, every single one, but the catch is they're all unfathomably risky. He definitely has the skills to achieve many points every match if he can play 200 balls, without any difficulty. But what's really important is balancing it out. If he can combine it all, the individual is going to hit 100 runs every match, definitively.He just needs to think through that balanced play style.

Ashwin emphasized the importance of proper guidance for Pant to unlock his full potential.“We have to tell him properly what he has to do if he has to bat solid or bat with intent. He hasn’t scored a lot of runs, but he didn’t play like someone without runs. He has a lot of time on his hands. Rishabh Pant is yet to realise his fullest potential,” Ashwin concluded.

Rishabh Pant's spectacular mix of being aggressive and technically skilled makes him a very interesting player in world cricket. Ashwin's thoughts clearly show that there's still so much more potential in Pant's game that hasn't been fully used yet. If Pant manages to find just the right balance, he could reach even larger achievements in his Test career.Pant's manner of playing is bold and attracts a lot of attention but it's that combo of skills that keeps everyone watching him.

Rishabh Pant Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

The five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy series comes to a close and the likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna, and Abhimanyu Easwaran will all fly back to India and join their respective domestic teams to partake in the knockout phase of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy from January 9 in Vadodara. Washington Sundar, who was a key part of the visiting Indian team down under might be able to feature from the semi-finals onwards if Tamil Nadu gets to that stage.

See also: "Mark my words.." Ravi Shastri's bold claim on Virat's struggling Test future

Abhimanyu travels a day earlier than Padikkal and Prasidh

It is expected that both Padikkal and Prasidh will fly out from Sydney with the rest of the Indian squad on Wednesday. But surprisingly, Abhimanyu was recalled a day earlier by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), and a flight was booked for him so that he was able to join his state squad in Vadodara after stops in Singapore and Ahmedabad.  

Abhimanyu will take part in the training drills with his Bengal squad ahead of their pre-quarter-final fixture against Haryana. Akash Deep, the other CAB player in the Indian squad sustained a back niggle which kept him out of the fifth and final Test. Understandably so, he will not play any role for Bengal for the remainder of the tournament. 

Padikkal and Prasidh to join Karnataka squad by Januray 10

Karnataka is slated to play their quarter-final game against Baroda on January 11. It is believed that both Padikkal and Prasidh are expected to be back in the squad no later than January 10. Initially included solely in the India A team that was participating in a preparatory tour before the Border-Gavaskar series, Padikkal was later incorporated into the Test squad due to Rohit Sharma's delayed arrival resulting from the birth of his son. Padikkal played a role in India's victory by 295 runs in Perth; however, he was not selected for any of the following Test matches.

The back injury of Akash Deep opened the door for Prasidh Krishna in the fifth and final Test in SCG. He was a standout performer with the ball in Bumrah's absence and finished with six wickets comprising the dismissal of Steve Smith in both innings.  

Virat Kohli's struggle came to a close as India lost the Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series for the first time in over a decade. The Indian batting legend could only manage 190 runs across nine Test innings at a very modest average of 23.75. Apart from his stellar century in Perth which came in favorable batting conditions, Kohli looked all at sea while combating a hostile Aussie pace attack.

His weakness while playing deliveries outside off-stump was severely exposed and the Australian quicks exploited his weakness to the fullest. The manner in which he was dismissed across all eight innings sparked immediate concerns regarding his longevity in the red-ball arena.

See also: Kohli's plot to evade taxes exposed after astonishing revelation of his offshore properties in the UK

Shastri backs Kohli amidst poor form slump

Kohli's decline in form has been a major source of concern for Team India in recent times.  A string of poor performances has lowered his Test batting average to 24.52 in 2024. But former cricket coach turned commentator, Ravi Shastri has offered a few words of encouragement to the struggling ace batter. 

He believes Kohli will come good and when the time is right, he will unleash his fury and produce the goods for India as he used to do during his prime days. In a conversation with CODE Sports, Shastri makes a bold remark on Kohli's Test future and suggests that it may not come as a surprise to him if he sees Kohli again on Australian shores.

"Mark my words. I won't be surprised if we see Virat Kohli playing Test cricket again on Australian soil."

Without a doubt, Kohli is a living legend of the game. He encountered a similar drop in form in the white-ball arena and later turned it around by concluding the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign on a high averaging in excess of 50. But aged 37, time seems to be running out and with the likes of Jurel, Sarfaraz, and Patidar waiting in the ranks, it is highly unlikely we may see him dominate the Aussies in their own backyard again. 

Cricket Australia didn't ask Sunil Gavaskar to present the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Pat Cummins, Australia's captain, even though the trophy is named after him and Allan Border. This decision was a disappointment for cricket fans. Right at the ceremony where they gave out the awards, they had Gavaskar just standing at the side of the field without taking part.

It disappointed many people who enjoy cricket.

Gavaskar also shared that, as an Indian, he would have been honored to share the stage with his close friend Allan Border to present the trophy. "I would have been happy to do it alongside Allan. It's a bilateral series that symbolizes the friendship and rivalry between our two nations," he said.

Cricket Australia's Explanation

Cricket Australia (CA) has mentioned some details about inviting Sunil Gavaskar for a special task. They were planning to have him give the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Jasprit Bumrah but only if India had won the Sydney Test, or at least managed a draw, which would mean they keep the trophy because they won the last series.

CA also shared that they had actually told Gavaskar beforehand about this entire plan. They even said, it might have been a good idea to have both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar come up on stage. That's what a spokesperson from CA said when they discussed it.

Australia beat India 3-1 in the latest Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, taking victories in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. The series is a strikingly large event in Test cricket and happens every two years, with the host country switching between India and Australia. It began in 1996-97 and honors cricket icons Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border.

While India secured the first win in Perth, the game in Brisbane ended with no winner.

Cricket Australia Admits Their Mistake

Later that evening, Cricket Australia acknowledged their error in not having Gavaskar on the podium for the presentation ceremony, which only included Allan Border. In a statement to the media, CA expressed regret:

"We admit it wasn't an ideal situation, and it would have been better if both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar had been invited to present the trophy together."

Cheteshwar Pujara: The Missing Piece in India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy Campaign

Reports have surfaced suggesting that Indian Men's Team Head Coach Gautam Gambhir recommended the inclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the BCCI Selectors declined his request during the team selection meeting prior to the tour. This decision has gained significance as India's batting performance in Australia this year has been underwhelming.

India's Batting Struggles in Australia

During the series, major names such as Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli just couldn't make a mark like they usually do. Kohli did hit a century in his second turn during the first game but his game has been up and down, especially with getting out on balls outside off-stump which reminds everyone of when he used to struggle with that before.

This inconsistent hitting from them is a strikingly large reason why India hasn't been doing great in the series.

ALSO READ:India's 2025 Cricket Calendar: England Series, Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, and Australia Tour Fixtures

Pujara's Role and Strengths

Pujara is famous for wearing down bowlers and creating strong partnerships, which makes him a key player to steady the batting lineup. The team really misses having someone who can help make things steady between the top and middle players like he does, especially in the current series. It's a major issue that they're thinking about bringing Cheteshwar Pujara back into the group because he's great at holding an innings together with his top-notch defensive skills.

🚨 GAUTAM GAMBHIR WANTED PUJARA IN TEAM INDIA FOR BGT 🚨

- Gautam Gambhir wanted Cheteshwar Pujara in Team India's Squad for Border Gavaskar Trophy but the selectors shot it down. Even after Perth Test Match, Gambhir was still talking about Pujara. (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/NZRqas1UyK

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 1, 2025

Pujara's Past Performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

2018-19 Series in Australia

Pujara was a total leader in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and you notice it. He obtained 521 runs in just seven innings over four matches, which had everyone talking. He obtained three centuries and also scored fifty runs, boasting an average of 74.42. Among his best performances were:

A marathon 193 in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which consumed 373 balls and ensured a draw.

A gritty 123 in the first match.

A remarkable 106 during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

2020-21 Series in Australia

During the 2020-21 series, Pujara hit a total of 271 runs. The Brisbane Gabba test was an important game, where his score of 56 from 211 balls showed how tough and gritty he could be, playing a major role in India's key win by staying strong against constant, very fast bowling.

Pujara's Test Career in Numbers

Pujara is a really solid and reliable batsman in Test cricket, having played 103 matches. He's scored 7,195 runs from 174 innings, which averages out to 44 runs every game he plays. Among those runs, he's hit 19 hundreds and 34 fifties, with his top score being a very high 206 runs without getting out against England. His track record seriously shows how valuable he is on the team.

India's Struggles in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Today, India is losing 2-1 in the series, and they are having a hard time with batting. Even though they tried putting Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in key roles, both of them didn't manage to do well consistently. The match in Brisbane that ended in a draw really showed how the middle-order can't hold together and make the most of the chances they get.

Gambhir's Concerns and Australian Bowlers' Perspective

Gambhir's very upset because the batting's been awful for a long time and he told the team how bad it was. He was very upset that the players were apparently concentrated on demonstrating their own skills instead of playing as a team. Gambhir kept saying they must hold to the plan they agreed on before the meeting, and not only make content as they go.

He made it extremely unmistakeable that working together is significantly more important than trying to be a solo star.

Josh Hazlewood, the Australian bowler, was very happy that Pujara wouldn't be playing. Hazlewood really meant exactly what he said, that Pujara had a major effect because of how he could just stay at the crease forever, make the bowlers tired, and was always good when playing in Australia. He is someone who bats time and makes you earn his wicket every time, is actually how Hazlewood put it, showing that he really thought Pujara mattered a lot for India winning.

Hazlewood's comments before the series really shone a light on how crucial Pujara was.

The Australian media's portrayal of Virat Kohli has recently shifted from admiration to criticism, particularly following his on-field altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test. This incident has led to a series of critical articles and headlines targeting Kohli's behavior

The West Australian newspaper made waves during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 with a controversial back-page headline targeting Virat Kohli. Titled "Clown Kohli", the headline featured an edited image of Kohli with a clown nose, mocking the Indian star cricketer.

The back page of tomorrow’s The West Australian. 🤡🤡🤡@westaustralian @TheWestSport pic.twitter.com/3BaiB3SOQi

— Jakeb Waddell (@JakebWaddell) December 26, 2024

On Day 1 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, Kohli had a tense moment with 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas. This exchange drew criticism from several former players, who felt his actions on the field were out of line. Following the incident, the back page of The West Australian newspaper has gone viral, featuring a mocking headline referring to Kohli as 'Clown Kohli' alongside a photo of him with a clown nose. They also claimed Kohli 'escaped' a ban that could have sidelined him for the final Test of the series.

ALSO READ:Sam Konstas to Miss IPL 2025 After Impressive Debut

So what happened between Kohli and Konstas?

During the opening day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, the two players collided while moving across the pitch after the 10th over. It looked as if Kohli may have deliberately changed his path to bump into Konstas, leading to heavy criticism from former cricketers who deemed it unnecessary. While it’s unclear if this was intentional, the incident has sparked a lively debate on social media, with fans split on what to make of the shoulder bump between Kohli and Konstas in this series.

#AUSvIND #konstas & #Kohli collide into each other on the pitch. Look like, Kohli went for it deliberatelypic.twitter.com/6QAHUDZfWH

— Umair Javed (@umairjaved1591) December 26, 2024

Early Admiration and Praise

In the early stages of his career, Virat Kohli’s aggressive batting style and competitive spirit drew admiration from Australian cricket commentators and journalists. His fearless approach and ability to thrive under pressure were seen as qualities synonymous with Australia’s own cricketing ethos.

For example, during a memorable series in Mohali, Kohli delivered a thrilling performance that left even the Australian commentators in awe, despite the fact that it posed a significant challenge to their team. His innings were often described as a masterclass in controlled aggression, showcasing his knack for seizing the moment in high-stakes encounters.

This admiration laid the foundation for Kohli’s reputation as a cricketer who could match Australia’s intensity and mindset, earning respect from both fans and critics alike.

Virat Kohli received a welcome befitting a king from the Australian media—but why only him? And will this be his final tour of Australia? Find out in today's #Aakashvani 👇 https://t.co/oWNltEPayM pic.twitter.com/eJ8VmBa0tw

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 15, 2024