Virat Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with the media upon his arrival at Melbourne Airport ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
The incident occurred on December 19, 2024, as Kohli and his family were met by a throng of reporters and cameras from Channel 7.
Kohli’s frustration stemmed from his belief that the media was filming him and his children without consent, which he found unacceptable.
As the cameras turned towards him, Kohli confronted a Channel 7 journalist, expressing his displeasure with the situation.
“With my kids, I need some privacy. You can’t film without asking me,” he was heard saying during the tense interaction. This confrontation highlighted Kohli’s longstanding desire to protect his family’s privacy from the relentless scrutiny that comes with being a public figure.
A Channel 7 reporter later clarified that Kohli’s reaction was largely based on a misunderstanding.
The journalist explained that the cameras were initially focused on Australian cricketer Scott Boland, and Kohli mistakenly thought they were directed at him and his family.
After some discussion, Kohli was assured that his children were not being filmed, which helped to defuse the situation. He even shook hands with the cameraman before departing.
This incident comes at a time when Kohli’s performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been under scrutiny. Although he scored a century in the second Test in Perth—his 30th in Test cricket—his overall form has been inconsistent, with only 26 runs across four other innings during this tour.
The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India won the first Test and Australia claimed victory in the second, while the third Test ended in a draw due to rain interruptions.
As the Indian team prepares for the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, Kohli’s heated exchange with the media serves as a reminder of the pressures faced by athletes both on and off the field.
