Furious after being booed by the crowd here, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said IPL fans tend to forget that he competes for India as well and their jeering can end up creating “hatred among the players”.
Kohli was booed by fans at the Wankhede Stadium after a controversial runout incident during RCB’s match against the Mumbai Indians here last night.
Kohli was jeered several times after he appealed for a runout involving Mumbai Indians batsman Ambati Rayudu, who was dismissed in a bizarre manner.
Rayudu seemed to have grounded his bat before it went in the air when he collided with bowler Vinay Kumar. It was at this time that a direct hit from Kohli hit the stumps.
The visitors asked for the third umpire’s decision, which went in their favour. This agitated the crowd and they booed Kohli calling him a “cheat”.
The 24-year-old continued to face the crowd’s ire when he came onto bat and even during the post-match presentation.
“As far as the crowd is concerned, it has happened to a few players in the past as well. I don’t know why they get so worked up during IPL. IPL is not the end of the world. And they forget that the players they are booing for also play for their country,” a livid Kohli said after the match.
“It is only creating hatred among the players. When I come back and play for India, they are going to cheer for me. It doesn’t work that way. You come to Bangalore and you see how Indian players are appreciated,” he added.
—PTI