Virat Kohli caught up in 'unacceptable' crowd drama after ugly moment divides cricket world

There are few players in world cricket more divisive than Virat Kohli and on day two of the fourth Test against Australia, the Indian superstar proved it once again. Kohli was involved in what many described as a calamitous and game-changing run-out with Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, before being caught up in ugly crowd scenes after being sent packing by Scott Boland for 36.

Kohli and Jaiswal were looking in ominous touch after brushing aside the early wickets of under-fire skipper Rohit Sharma (three runs) and KL Rahul (24), both removed by Aussie skipper Pat Cummins (2-57). Those wickets came after Steve Smith's 34th Test century and a crucial late stand from Cummins helped the home side set an imposing first innings total of 474.

The visitors steadied though and with Jaiswal (82) looking particularly dangerous as he edged towards a century, disaster struck as the opener and Kohli got in a horrible mix-up and the youngster was run out. Jaiswal pushed a Boland delivery to mid-on and instantly called for a single as he took off down the pitch.

It was Jaiswal's call because the ball went behind Kohli at the non-striker's end but the Indian veteran was not interested and held his ground. Jaiswal had practically already made it to safety when Cummins fielded the ball and threw it to Alex Carey, who walked in and whipped the bails off but Kohli had stood his ground at the other end meaning the young dangerman had to depart.

Virat Kohli branded 'selfish' as run-out rocks India

The disastrous mix-up sparked an Indian collapse of 3-6 that swung the match massively in Australia's favour and could prove crucial in the grand scheme of the series. The Indians ended day two on 5-164, trailing Australia by 310 runs. But it was the run-out that proved the biggest talking point and Kohli who came under fire for not listening to his young batting partner, with many cricket fans labelling it a 'poor' and 'selfish' decision from the 36-year-old.

Kohli did have the backing of several cricket greats though, with Adam Gilchrist among those to describe the run as 'risky' from Jaiswal, even if it was his call. Former England captain Michael Vaughan also felt the young opener was at fault. “I don’t think Virat’s to blame for that at all,” he said on Fox Cricket. “I think it’s the young chap, he just went on the shot. It’s just too high risk and wasn’t required.”

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri said on Fox Cricket: “Crazy, bizarre and a rush of blood from the youngster. Hundred run partnership and there was never a single there. Even if it was his call and Kohli had gone for the single, he wouldn’t have crossed halfway.”

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Aussie Test great Mark Waugh agreed, adding: “At that stage, India were actually looking in control of the game for the first time. They were batting beautifully. Jaiswal hit it too firmly, (Pat) Cummins is a very good fielder. We see time and time again we get runouts in that position. Virat Kohli, I don’t think you can blame him, I don’t think there was a run.”

Virat Kohli in heated MCG crowd moment late on day two

The cricket world was also divided over an ugly moment involving Kohli and a section of the MCG crowd as the Indian batter made his way back to the pavilion for 36, having nicked one behind to Carey off the bowling of Scott Boland (2-24), who also removed night watchman Akash Deep. Kohli had made himself enemy No.1 for Aussie fans after his shoulder barge on teenage debutant Sam Konstas on Boxing Day so it was no surprise to see some of the crowd giving it to him as he left the ground.

But whatever was said to the Indian superstar clearly rattled Kohli, who was halfway down the tunnel and heading towards the sheds when he stopped and looked up angrily towards the stands. An official quickly came in to diffuse the situation and lead a clearly miffed Kohli off the ground, with some fans labelling it an 'embarrassing reaction from the veteran considering what had transpired with Konstas the day before. Others labelled it 'unacceptable' from the Aussie crowd, setting the stage for an explosive day three on Saturday.