New Delhi:
Virat Kohli arrived in the middle of the Sydney Cricket Ground for the toss of the warm-up game between his side and Cricket Australia XI. The match is of interest for many cricket fans as this is the only warm-up game before the start of the Adelaide Test on December 6. However, there was one incident which caught social media’s attention and they decided to unleash their trolling on Kohli. The Indian skipper came out to the SCG wearing shorts for the toss. Some called this an act of ‘disrespect’ for the gentleman’s game while some backed this action, saying it was nothing against the rules of the game. The controversy generated some traction, but it was all forgotten as the Indian skipper smashed 64 to continue his great form ahead of the Tests.
Presenting you the Captain of indian team who came with the shorts for Toss.
— Logan (@ImLogan3) November 30, 2018
Let it b whatever the game. Pls give some respect to the game. #CAXIvIND #AUSvIND @BCCI @imVkohli @cricBC pic.twitter.com/e7Zyfkxbwg
To all those experts who are saying Virat Kohli did disrespect of the game today by wearing Shorts while toss.
— Sharique Aghaz (@ShariqueAghaz14) November 29, 2018
So let me tell you, Kane Williamson did it against Mumbai when the kiwis toured india. pic.twitter.com/ad50FF1fSK
Some Twitter users said this was not the first instance of a captain coming out to the toss wearing shorts. Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper, wore shorts in a warm-up game in Mumbai. Others pointed out the football analogy in trying to defend Kohli.
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In the recent edition of the Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar blasted Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman for trying to resemble a rapper wearing his national cap backside. Gavaskar, commentating for Star Sports at that time, said, “Somebody should tell him that that it's the national cap. He should wear it properly. You can do this in PSL (Pakistan Super League) may be but this is the national team.”
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@ImViratkohli @imVkohli , you are amazing but it doesn’t mean that you will forget the basics ! Wearing shorts in a toss during a warmup match is completely not acceptable! You still have a long career ahead and I am sure you will break all the records !!! ðŸ‘ðŸ‘👠#TeamIndia
— Sandeep Sarker (@SarkerSandeep) November 29, 2018
@BCCI @ICC @CAComms @HomeOfCricket is turning up to toss in shorts permittd by rules if it's a warmup match? Strictly by rules? I ve huge admiration for @imVkohli . Bt jus curious that whether this has happened before nd it's permittd? @bhogleharsha @statanalyst @suneerchowdhary pic.twitter.com/Sn68PwHleZ
— Gomesh Shanmugavelayutham (@GS_cricfan) November 30, 2018
Gavaskar also took Dinesh Karthik’s case as his Indian jersey contained his abbreviation DK but his take was something different. The legendary batsman said, “Maybe that's his nickname but since the jersey carries his number, people should identify with the name. Maybe with the name he can have his initials.”
If wearing shorts at toss by @imVkohli is disrespecting cricket then I have a very bad news for football fans.
— Bullet Raja पछतà¥à¤¤à¥€à¤¸ (@bulletRaja_) November 30, 2018
The most famous instances of a toss being involved in controversy were during the 2001 series between India and Australia. Steve Waugh, the Australian skipper at that time, said he was "wound up" by Ganguly's "continued petulance" in being late for the toss, and alleged that Ganguly was late for the toss "seven times" during the historic series. Waugh also alleged that Ganguly once tried to wrongly claim he had won the toss before the match referee intervened. Ganguly admitted it was a case of tit-for-tat and that he deliberately did it after an incident involving Australian coach John Buchanan and fast bowler Javagal Srinath.
