IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli Mocks Australian Crowd with Bold Sandpaper Gesture at SCG

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Virat Kohli, ever the provocateur on the cricket field, reignited tensions with the Australian crowd during Day 3 of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With India defending a modest target of 162, Kohli's animated gesture added fuel to the fiery atmosphere.

The gesture referred to the infamous sandpaper scandal of 2018. After Prasidh Krishna dismissed Steve Smith - one of the players implicated in the sandpaper controversy - Kohli turned to the crowd and theatrically emptied his pockets.

He stretched his waistband, and gestured to show he had "nothing to hide." This was a clear jab at the scandal where Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to tamper with the ball, resulting in bans for Bancroft, Smith, and David Warner.

Sanjay Manjrekar, commenting on air, suggested, "Kohli might be deliberately picking fights to fire himself up, especially given his lean run with the bat."

India Struggles to Defend 162

Earlier in the day, India added only 16 runs to their overnight score, folding for 157. Despite the modest target, the Indian bowlers made early inroads. Sam Konstas' aggressive 17-ball 22 was cut short by Krishna.

He also dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Smith to leave Australia at 58/3. With Australia at 71/3 at Lunch, needing 91 more runs, the match hangs in the balance. Kohli has been standing in as captain due to Jasprit Bumrah's back spasm.

He has been instrumental in rallying his side, even as the SCG crowd attempted to unsettle him with boos and jeers. Kohli's contentious relationship with the Australian fans has been a recurring theme of this series.

Earlier in Melbourne, his shoulder bump with debutant Sam Konstas and subsequent antics led to widespread criticism and a fine. At the SCG, however, the Indian fans cheered his bold gesture, turning a moment of controversy into one of defiance.