[In Pictures] Virat Kohli gives autographs to fans at the MCG during Boxing Day Test BGT 2024-25
Team India stalwart Virat Kohli gave autographs to his fans in the stands after the play during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The iconic cricketer has been receiving criticism from the Australian media and a section of their fans after his heated exchange with Sam Konstas on the field during the opening day of the fourth Test.
He was jeered by some of the local fans at the stadium while fielding and also batting on the second day of the MCG Test. However, Kohli seemingly shrugged it off as he was spotted interacting with a few fans in the stands, giving them autographs and posing for pictures.
You can view the pictures in the below X post:
Virat Kohli departed after a patient 36 in the first innings of the 4th India vs Australia BGT 2024-25 Test
After resuming the day on 311/6, Steve Smith guided Australia to a daunting total of 474 with a magnificent knock of 140 (197). He put on a 112-run partnership with Pat Cummins (49) for the seventh wicket and then added a few crucial runs with the other lower-order batters to put his side in a decent position.
India lost Rohit Sharma (3) early in the second over of the innings to get off to a poor start. A return to the opening position could not change the fortunes of the underfire Indian captain as he got out tamely. KL Rahul (24) then looked in decent touch, but a magnificent delivery from Pat Cummins cut short his stay at the crease.
Virat Kohli came in next and looked determined as he patiently left most of the balls outside off stump and forced the bowlers to bowl straight, which offered him risk-free scoring opportunities. He motored along well without much discomfort and stitched a partnership of 102 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) to set a platform for India.
Just as things looked good, Jaiswal got run out during the fag end of the day after a grave misunderstanding with Virat Kohli. It probably disturbed Virat Kohli's concentration as he nicked Scott Boland's sixth stump delivery to the keeper. It was a heartbreaking sight for the Indian fans as Kohli did the hard yards, got set at the crease, and looked good for a big innings.
Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) remained unbeaten at the crease as the visitors reached 164/5 at stumps on Day 2, still trailing by 310 runs.