Virat Kohli once again made headlines during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a commendable gesture toward Australia’s Steve Smith. On Day 2 of the Test, Smith reached a significant milestone by scoring his 34th Test century, equaling legends Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara. Kohli, despite facing criticism for an earlier incident, displayed great sportsmanship in acknowledging Smith’s achievement.
Kohli’s Gesture
Smith reached his century with a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, sparking a standing ovation from the crowd. As Smith celebrated, Kohli was seen applauding from his fielding position. He patiently waited for the Australian batter to soak in the applause before walking over to pat him on the back, a gesture that was widely appreciated.
A History of Mutual Respect
Kohli and Smith share a long-standing camaraderie that dates back to their early careers, beginning at the U19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008. Their bond has strengthened over the years, despite being fierce competitors on the field.
Kohli’s sportsmanship has been evident before—most notably during the 2019 ODI World Cup when he asked Indian fans to stop booing Smith and instead appreciate his contribution to cricket. That act earned Kohli the ICC Fair Play Award. Similarly, Smith has often praised Kohli as one of the finest all-format players in cricket history.
Turning the Spotlight
Kohli’s positive gesture came just a day after he was heavily criticized for a shoulder barge against Australian debutant Sam Konstas. His actions on Day 2, however, helped redirect attention to the spirit of cricket and the mutual respect between two modern greats of the game.
As Smith’s century cements his place among cricket’s elite, Kohli’s sportsmanship reminds fans of the deep camaraderie that exists even in intense rivalries.
