Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah paid Virat Kohli a compliment that was more of a reprimand. Some agreed whole heartedly with Shah’s assessment of Kohli while others did not. Many of those who did not agree with Shah of course indulged in ad hominem attacks as well as directions to leave the country. We look at what went down:
Perhaps with reference to the recent incident in which Kohli was seen eyeballing and then almost chest bumping a player of the opposite team, Shah called the batsman the world’s worst behaved player. To be sure he also called him brilliant and the world's best batsman; but asserted that Kohli is arrogant and has bad manners. He also clarified that he had no intention of leaving the country, perhaps a reference to Kohli’s recent ‘leave India’ remark (or a preemptive answer to those who would undoubtedly call him antinational and ask him to move to Pakistan).
Seeing the kind of devoted fan following that Kohli has, Shah probably expected and certainly got many such (and many far ruder) responses, including being told to shut up and f**k off in a number of different, highly colourful ways.
Naseeruddin Shah is seen to be scolding and rebuking camera persons and other media persons rather like an angry school mam in this short video clip. People thought that given this previous behavior of his, he shouldn’t be one to talk about bad behaviour.
Some thought that Kohli was simply paying Australia back in their own coin. After all the Aussies pretty much wrote the book on sledging and other bad on-field behaviour.
A few of the tweeple thought that this was Shah seeking some attention and publicity. They were of the view that Shah, who hasn’t been in any significant productions recently, is trying other ways to stay relevant.
The tweeted gif is that of Kohli clearly mouthing a foul expletive. Not sure whether this is meant to prove or disprove the theory that Kohli is rude and badly behaved on the field.
This tweet points out that Kohli is frequently well behaved and helpful on field; even towards his opponents and seems to suggest that Shah judges him unfairly.
While Shah’s plain speaking seemed to irk most, it did not seem to bother others; who expressed admiration for saying what many think but are hesitant to spell out.
Many, even fans, view Kohli’s behavior as unseemly and over the top. It is possible to be a great player without being offensive they feel. And if the Aussies did it before, that is absolutely no reason to emulate them in this respect.
Kohli is known for his on field aggression and fondness for expletives. Some feel that he sets a bad example to the millions who idolise him. So is Virat Kohli’s aggression a tad too much? Can he play good cricket sans all the expletives and the sledging and the aggression? That as a discussion will not go out of fashion anytime soon.
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