Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy said he is “losing respect” for India captain Virat Kohli because of his sledging of the Australians in the ongoing second Test in Bengaluru, PTI reported. Healy said that Kohli had disrespected Australia through his constant sledging and advised the Indian captain to tone down his on-field aggression.
Kohli, fielding in the slips, was seen chatting with Australia captain Steve Smith and opener Matt Renshaw on day two during the first innings. Renshaw admitted at the end of the day that Kohli had tried to remind him of the “toilet break” he took in the Pune Test.
“The pressure is starting to tell on [Kohli],” Healy told Melbourne radio station SEN. “I’m losing respect for him. He’s got to be a lot more respectful of his opponents. The stuff he did with Steve Smith was unacceptable.”
Healy said that Kohli’s actions were putting unwanted pressure on his teammates. “I’ve said in the past, he [Kohli] is the best batsman I’ve ever seen. His feistiness and real aggression towards the opposition has been good [in the past], especially when he was not captain. It would lead his team with him. They’re more timid than they look and they let on, the Indian cricketers.
“So Kohli’s aggression was good for them. But I think it’s not good for them anymore. He’s really putting some pressure on [his players]. You can read pressure all over Ravi Ashwin’s face. I think there are massive cracks showing in [Kohli].”