Kohli clarifies ‘anti-friendship’ stand

Says he is still “in good terms” with a few Australian players and those he has played with at Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Virat Kohli’s comments were blown “way out of proportion”.

Virat Kohli has clarified his comments about his cooling of relationship with Australian players at the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, saying he was misinterpreted. The India captain has said he is still “in good terms” with a few Australian players he knows and those he has played with at Royal Challengers Bangalore, the team he plays for in the Indian Premier League.

1/2 My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team but

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017

 

On Twitter , he wrote that his comments were “blown way out of proportion”. He wrote, “My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team but only a couple of individuals. I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change.”

2/2only a couple of individuals.I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2017

 

Kohli was criticised by the Australian media for his cold attitude towards the visiting Australians. At the end of India’s victory in the final Test in Dharamsala, Kohli, when asked whether he would still be friends with Australian players, said, “The thing I said before the first Test, that has certainly changed and you won’t hear me say that ever again.”

Before the series had begun, Kohli had said, “I’m really good friends with all these guys off the field. I know them really well, but I know where to draw the line of friendship; when I step on to the field I could be playing my real brother, it wouldn’t matter.”