London | Indian skipper Virat Kohli yesterday during the ongoing match between India and Australia in the 2019 World Cup, asked Indian fans to stop booing.
The Indian fans sitting in the Oval’s OCS stand saw Steve Smith fielding in front of them, and started shouting at him.
However, Kohli stepped in and gestured the fans to clap instead.
With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, @imVkohli suggested they applaud the Australian instead.
Absolute class #SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mmkLoedxjr
ā ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2019
ICC’s official Twitter account has shared the video,
Later after the match, Virat Kohli revealed why he was dismayed.
“I think what happened was long back [Smithās ball-tampering incident]. Heās back now, heās trying to play well for his side”, Kohli said. “Itās not good to see somehow down like that, you donāt want to see a guy having that every time he plays”.
“Heās come back, worked hard and playing well. There were so many Indian fans here and I didnāt want them to set a bad example. He doesnāt deserve to be booed, he was just standing there.”
“I wouldnāt like that so I felt for him and I told him āsorryā on behalf of the crowd. Iāve seen it happen earlier in the tournament and I donāt think itās acceptable.”
Steve Smith, who was banned for 12 months for ball-tampering last year, has been booed persistently since his return to international cricket.
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