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Friendship with Australians comment blown out of proportion, clarifies Virat Kohli

India skipper Virat Kohli clarified on his comments that the spiteful Test series has ended his friendship with the Australians.

New Delhi, March 30: India skipper Virat Kohli on Thursday (March 30) clarified on his comments that the spiteful Test series has ended his friendship with the Australians.

Friendship with Australians has 'changed': Kohli Friendship with Australians has 'changed': Kohli

Kohli took to Twitter to clarify that his statement during the post-match press conference after India defeated Australia in Dharamsala in the fourth and final Test and said his statement was blown out of proportion. (RCB Full squad)

Friendship with Australians comment blown out of proportion, clarifies Virat Kohli

"My answer at the post match conference has been blown way out of proportion. I did not categorically say the whole Australian team but only a couple of individuals. I continue to be in good terms with the few guys I know & who I've played with at RCB & that doesn't change," tweeted Kohli. (Full schedule for RCB in 2017)

The 28-year-old cricketer's statement would put an end to the controversy and clear the doubts of several Australian cricketers who will play with him for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017.

Indian captain Virat Kohli had spoken about his "good friends" in the opposition camp but after a hard-fought, fiery series he has changed his opinion about the cordial relationships with Steve Smith and company.

Kohli, in the post-match press conference, was asked about his equations with Australian cricketers and he did not mince his words, saying it had changed forever.

"No. It (relationship with Australians) has changed for sure. I thought that was the case (friendship). But it has changed for sure. As I said, in the heat of the battle, yes, you want to be competitive. But I have been proven wrong. The thing I said before the first Test that has certainly changed. You won't hear me say that ever again," Kohli, who missed the 4th Test in Dharamsala due to shoulder injury, said.

The Indian skipper came underfire by several Australian media houses and former Aussie cricketers for saying he won't be friends with the Australian cricketers in the wake of on-field and off-field verbal spats during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann said he is disappointed with India captain's remarks. When asked about Kohli's comment in a pre-departure media interaction, Lehmann said, "Disappointing but that's his opinion isn't it?"

On whether he thought that the rest of the Indian team had sentiments similar to Kohli, Australia Head Coach Darren Lehmann replied in the negative.

"No, I don't think the Indian team (feels that), I too was very impressed with (Ajinkya) Rahane's captaincy. I thought he was brilliant," Lehmann said.

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 7:45 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 3, 2017