Australian media accuses Kohli of hurting Aussie official; says Kumble at fault too

New Delhi: As if the on-field action of the players were not enough, now Australian media has decided to join in the slug by alleging Virat Kohli of hurling a bottle at an Australian official. An Australian newspaper in its column has clearly stated that Indian captain Virat Kohli had threw a bottle of soft drink in anger which went on hurt an Australian official during the Bengaluru Test. “Kohli might be the aggressor in the brazen campaign India is running against Australia’s integrity — even striking an Australian official with an orange Gatorade bottle,” stated the column. The daily did not stop there. It also accused Indian coach Anil Kumble of storming to the match official’s room when Kohli was adjudged LBW during India’s second innings. “The Bangalore bloodbath has taken another volatile twist, with revelations Indian coach Anil Kumble stormed into the umpires room to lodge a mid-innings please explain. As Virat Kohli left a tornado of destruction behind him in the Indian dressing room, fuming he had been given out lbw, it’s understood Kumble went to seek immediate clarification from match officials as to why his irate skipper was given out at a key moment of the second Test,” The daily stated. It also dragged the infamous Monkeygate episode between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds which took place during the tenure of Anil Kumble as India captain. “Coach Kumble, one of the main instigators of the Monkeygate fiasco, would appear to have reclaimed his role as the puppeteer behind the scenes. International coaches have access to the officials’ box, but it’s highly unusual for them to make contact mid-match, and Kumble’s actions appear indicative of India’s overall attitude that they can dictate to the law-makers of the game,” added the daily. These reports are in direct connection with the DRS incident in Bengaluru Test. In a moment of ‘brain fade’  the Australian captain Steve Smith decided to seek confirmation from the dressing room whether to opt for DRS after being given out on Benglauru. The incident turned into a whirlwind when Kohli almost used the word ‘cheating’ for the Australians, later on both CA and BCCI went to support their players and BCCI even lodged an official complaint to ICC, which was later withdrawn.