Virat Kohli urges spectators to cheer Steve Smith who was booed at The Oval
London, Jun 10 (IBNS): In a great show of sportsmanship, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli urged all the Indian spectators to cheer Australian batsman Steve Smith who was getting booed at The Oval crowd during a World Cup match on Sunday.
David Warner and Smith returned to the international cricket this year after serving a 12-month ban over their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal which had rocked the Australian cricket.
Not getting pleased by the behaviour of the Indian spectators, Kohli was seen urging the fans to cheer Smith instead. Smith was also seen appreciating Kohli's gesture.
With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, @imVkohli suggested they applaud the Australian instead.
— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2019
Absolute class 👠#SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mmkLoedxjr
"I think what has happened has happened. The guy is back and he is trying to play well for his side. Even in IPL, I saw him. To be honest, it is not good to see someone down like that. We had issues in the past and a few arguments on the field but I don't want to see a guy feeling that heat every time he goes out to play....I didn't want the Indian audience to set a bad example...." Kohli said about the incident at the post-match press conference.
The moment in Sunday's match was unique for the viewers as both Kohli and Smith had some heated-up verbal exchanges in the past.
During Australia's tour to India in 2017, Kohli had attacked Smith for taking advice from the dressing room while he was present on the pitch. Kohli, who was quick to bring the incident to the Umpire's notice, had refused to accept Smith's citation of "brain-fade" theory.
Smith had said he reacted such after getting brain-fade.
Even Smith had celebrated Kohli's dismissal by caricaturing the Indian skipper's shoulder injury. Smith was then the captain of the Australian side.
The World Cup match on Sunday was won by India by 36 runs. Powered by Shikhar Dhawan's ton, Virat Kohli's 82 and the aggressive knocks of Hardik Pandya and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India posted a mammoth total of 352/5 in 50 overs.
In reply, Australia were bowled out for 336 in 50 overs.
Image Credit: twitter.com/cricketworldcup
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