India clinched their second win of the 2019 World Cup after beating defending champions Australia by 36 runs in London on Sunday. With the help of Shikhar Dhawan’s outstanding century, India posted a mammoth 352/5 after opting to bat first. Australia in reply was taken out for 316 on the final ball of the match. Genuinely, in the first innings of the game Virat showed the true spirit of the game as The Indian skipper, after the end of the over, was seen signaling towards the crowd to stop booing and asked them to stop booing and asked them to applaud Smith.
A True gentlemen’s game
Smith, who was fielding at the third man during India’s innings, was mocked by fans who were heard chanting ‘cheater’ from the stands. However, it didn’t impress the Indian Captain Virat Kohli for such an act by the Indian fans. Soon after the end of the over, he was seen signaling towards the crowd to stop booing and asked them to applaud the former Australian captain. Meanwhile, he also expressed his sympathy for Steven Smith and apologized on behalf of the India dominated crowd at the Oval.
Watching Kohli’s gestures, Smith walked up to him and shook hands with the Indian captain.
With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, @imVkohli suggested they applaud the Australian instead.
Absolute class ? #SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/mmkLoedxjr
— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2019
Kohli on the incident
Being asked about the incident, Kohli said, “I feel for him. Look, we have had a few incidents in the past, we have had our arguments, but now he is coming back. I noticed this in the IPL too that he was keen to play and there were some incidents. It happened today too (fans booing) and I felt bad for him. I went and apologized to him on behalf of the crowd.”
Kholi thinks, if someone has shown regret then others should let go of the concern and move on.
“He (Smith) was just standing there, and I felt bad because if I was in a position where something had happened with me and I had apologized, I accepted it and I came back and still I would get booed, I wouldn’t like it, either,” he added.
“What’s happened has happened. Everyone has known that. He’s come back. He’s worked hard. He’s playing well for his side now.” captain concludes.
Captain @imVkohli on THAT gesture that won hearts ?? #TeamIndia #INDvAUS #SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/irUtTtv6AR
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 9, 2019
Twitter praises Kohli #Spiritofcricket
Well done virat ✌️❤️ #SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/kdyhNcucqP
— Harshad Anil Bhatkar (@HarshadBhatkar) June 9, 2019
#Kohli's transformation as a batsman and a leader over the past decade has been phenomenal. #SpiritOfCricket, #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/RHotFXUZvb
— Rajkrishnan Menon (@RajkrisMenon) June 10, 2019
We always witnessed your sportsmanship but yesterday is THE GREAT one.#ViratKohli #SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/mXEC9f02mx
— Piplesh Atrahe?? (@PipleshAtrahe) June 10, 2019
That's what Indian's are known for!
With India fans giving Steve Smith a tough time fielding in the deep, @imVkohli suggested they applaud the Australian instead.
Bravo Captain!!#SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/kmw8N2e5sk
— Harsh Sanghavi (@sanghaviharsh) June 10, 2019
"He's just playing cricket. I mean he was just standing there. So I just felt for him and I told him sorry on behalf of the crowd."#SpiritofCricket #CWC19https://t.co/Sa7XljTq8x
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 10, 2019
Wow. How good is this from #ViratKohli? Steve Smith is sent to field on the boundary, and immediately cops the most hideous boos from the Indian fans. So Kohli turns to that stand and gestures for them to clap Smith. #CWC19 #INDvAUS #SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/eyMBCBVTij
— Imran Solanki (@imransolanki313) June 10, 2019
Never liked Kohli but my opinion has changed a fair bit after last night. Class ? #SpiritOfCricket #CWC19 https://t.co/VKngvHJOUW
— kevin sutton (@kev_sutts72) June 10, 2019
Asking indian fans to support aussies
Still some "LEGENDS" tells vk s arrogant and disrepect others congrats champ pic.twitter.com/IDh8L7zA0x
— Ravi (@sparktv_2020) June 10, 2019
That's why I love this man. Extraterrestrial legend for a reason. Heart for you❤
Absolute class ? #SpiritOfCricket #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/CXAnkWKV5B
— A M I R ?? (@Amirtajktk) June 9, 2019
This man is love… he knows what sports matter to a player…. This is what sports teaches us and what should be #SpiritOfCricket #INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6xkfuASWVg
— Megha Jain?? (@i_meghajain) June 9, 2019
