Azharuddin, Madan Lal critical of Kohli's outburst at the Press Conference

India lost the Mahatma Gandhi- Nelson Mandela series to South Africa. In a three-match series, India lost the first two matches conceding South Africa an un-assailable lead of 2-0. This led to severe disappointment in the Indian cricketing circles. Adding fuel to the fire, Virat Kohli was seen furious in the post-match press conference. While counter-attacking the claims from the reporters, Kohli dealt with severe critics from the likes of Madan Lal and Mohammad Azharuddin. Surely, he wasn’t in a good mood to address the press.

Kohli’s led team India failed to apply themselves in the South African conditions. When asked about it by a South African reporter, the Indian skipper defended himself by showcasing a track record of victories. He fielded a different playing eleven in all of the 34 tests in which he captained for India. He clearly didn’t seem to be impressed with his strategies being questioned. Earlier, he was heavily criticised for dropping Bhuvneshwar Kumar and benching Ajinkya Rahana.

Azharuddin and Madan Lal not impressed

However, Azharuddin and Madan Lal were clearly not impressed with Kohli’s attitude. This behaviour from Virat took everyone by surprise. They opined that this kind of an act is not acceptable. Even the fans were shell-shocked looking at Kohli in the press conference. Azhar felt that Virat should have let the question go unanswered rather than lashing out at the reporter. He said it is a reporters’ duty to ask questions.

“A captain’s job is to defend his decision-making and I believe this was the reason why he was defending himself and got agitated during the press conference. But getting angry over a reporter’s question was not at all correct. It is a reporter’s right to ask questions. If you like a question you answer it, and if you don’t like it just don’t answer. Virat Kohli will have to understand how to handle the press when things are not going your way,” Azahar told Sports Tak.

Meanwhile, Madan Lal said, “Virat shouldn’t have lost his cool. This was nothing, more questions will be asked if India go on to lose the third Test. I feel it wasn’t India’s best XI that played in the Centurion Test.”