‘Oz media tarnishing Virat’s image’

New Delhi, March 22
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has said that India skipper Virat Kohli should not be “bothered” by a couple of Australian journalists who are trying to “tarnish his image”. The Australian media has been largely critical of the Indian skipper right through the series. In the latest attack, Australia’s Daily Telegraph has compared Kohli to US president Donald Trump. “Just like President Trump, Kohli decided to blame the media as a means of trying to hide the egg smeared right across his face,” a report in the newspaper said.
Apparently not amused with how Kohli is being portrayed, Clarke came out in support of the Indian skipper. “Comparing Virat with Donald Trump — what a load of s*** is that!” said Clarke. “What Virat did, even Smith would have. Bear in mind, I love Kohli and the Australian public love him. I always somehow find an Australian in him… the way he plays and I absolutely love how he accepts challenges. It’s just two or three reporters who are trying to tarnish him but Virat shouldn’t be bothered.”
Clarke said even Smith wouldn’t be bothered by what the Australian media was writing. “I don’t think even Smith would bother about what the Australian media is saying. In fact both the captains would be telling their teams to concentrate on how to win in Dharamsala.
“It is more like the 2005 Ashes where every Test was life and death and the players gave their all on the field. But off the field, both teams remained friends.” Clarke said Virat was just one innings away from getting a big score. “Virat is tough and if you’re No. 1, then you have got to be tough. He may come up with a big century and win India the series in Dharamsala,” Clarke said. “Expectations from him are so high that every time he steps out to bat, people want him to score a century.”