Virat Kohli represents India, must behave well
Although there are conflicting signals over whether star Indian batsman Virat Kohli used abusive language against a journalist recently, there cannot be smoke without fire. That the Board of Control for Cricket in India has asked Kohli to “maintain the dignity of the Indian team” and to “avoid any such behaviour in the future”, is a clear hint that something unsavoury had indeed happened. The Indian team management had initially sought to douse the controversy by claiming that the incident had been a mere “misunderstanding” and that no abuse took place. But with contradicting material emerging in the public domain and the BCCI's response, that stand has become indefensible. The claim that Kohli abused the ‘wrong journalist', is meant for one to conclude that, had the journalist against whom the abuse was directed, received it, Kohli's behaviour would have been understandable. This is ridiculous.
Players of the Indian cricket squad are high-profile public figures, and like others of their kind, they have to put up with all sorts of extraneous pressures, criticism and often unjustified and unverified allegations. It is a price one pays for being a celebrity. If these people begin to lose their cool at the drop of a hat, they are not going to add anything positive to their image. Worse, the distractions that accompany the loss of temper can impact a player's game. Kohli is in the midst of a World Cup tournament, and he has been performing with distinction on most occasions. He needs to focus on his game and not allow other matters to come in the way. Moreover, he could have contained the damage had he immediately reached out to the journalist who was at the receiving end and apologised. But, from available accounts, he merely sent across a message to the recipient of his abuse that the latter had been wrongly chosen. On the nets after the incident, Kohli pointedly ignored the media, and demonstrated little trace of remorse.
It is not just that the performances can be a casualty following such incidents blowing all over the world. The message that it sends out about an individual too comes into account. Kohli is a national icon who is looked up to with much admiration by the people, especially the youth. Surely the kind of conduct he has indulged in, is hardly one he will want his admirers to emulate. Further, it is not just what such behaviour does to his image or to his admirers that is important. The country's prestige is at stake. let us not forget that the shenanigans of members of the Pakistani cricket squad, including the non-players, over the years,have brought lasting ridicule and shame to their nation and their country’s cricket administration. Surely, this is not what Virat Kohli would want to happen to his country. His aggression looks fine, and is even appreciated, on the field. Off the ground, he must learn to behave.