IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli faces innuendos, from ‘butter chicken' to chasing outside ‘sixth stump'

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The reactions to Virat Kohli's dismissal for three runs in the third Test at the Gabba on Monday have triggered a whirlpool of emotions as well as outrage on social media. One famous comment made on X is hilarious.

Rough translation: "You could give up butter chicken for a decade, why not leave the ball outside the off stump." Such a comment, obviously, generates traction, from foodies as well as those who want to feast on the failure of King Kohli.

Another one is from a legend, Sanjay Manjrekar, asking, what is the batting consultant doing, does not Virat Kohli consult him. How does one analyse such crap remarks. The 36-year-old Kohli has put a premium on fitness, made enormous sacrifices on food habits and is the fittest cricketer in the India team.

Yet, does failing to score runs mean one gets so cheap, you pick on him without sensitivity? Whether Kohli has stopped eating 'butter chicken' or not, he certainly has not chickened out from putting in effort. He trains hard at nets, leads motivational team lessons. What more can he do, nobody knows. Kohli is an object of criticism, butt of ridicule. It has been like this for years.

Had he played a glorious cover drive he would have been cheered. That he fished at an away going delivery, which some say, was the sixth stump, is an exaggeration. A delivery pitched sixth stump from Josh Hazlewood could well have been called a wide by the umpire at the non-striker's end.

Frankly speaking, if you are upset Kohli got out cheaply, it's because of the expectations he raises repeatedly. Everyone knows he is world-class, though, now, taking potshots at his diet sacrifice and much more is not cricket talk at all. Discuss his footwork, talk about his weaknesses, go on. To pick on personal stuff, that's not on.

What if Kohli asks trolls what they eat before writing or posting rubbish just to get more 'views?' One day, that will also happen. Each troll who picks on Kohli needs to watch out. You cannot get him thrown out of the team nor can you influence him to retire. If Kohli has to pack up, he will do it on his own, not consult jokers.

Then comes Sanjay Manjrekar. He is an international cricketer with pedigree and is a big voice. He would know how net sessions and throwdowns work, having been part of the Indian team. Is being cheeky or sarcastic the right thing for Manjrekar to do as a responsible influence maker is a question he should answer. Do not add fuel to the fire as an illiterate person. The Manjrekar surname has so much significance, do not dilute it.

Last but not the least, Sunil Gavaskar's comment, Kohli should take inspiration from Sachin Tendulkar's innings in Sydney, years ago. Again, makes no sense. Kohli has idolised Sachin all his life. Kohli knows how to stay motivated, whom to consult and how many hours he has to spend at nets. Did he not score a century in the first Test in Perth? All these suggestions are as poor as offering 'butter chicken' to a hardcore vegetarian!