I WAS UNDER SCANNER FOR WRONG THINGS: VIRAT KOHLI ON 'SPIRIT OF CRICKET' AWARD!

Virat Kohli, who was known for his aggressive behavior on-field, has been accorded ICC's 'Spirit of Cricket Award' for 2019.

Kohli's kind gesture during the World Cup 2019 as he appealed to the crowd to cheer for Steve Smith and not boo him has earned the award for him.

Reacting on the award, Virat said while he was all game for sledging and banters, booing was something he did not endorse.

“I’m surprised that I have got it, after many years of being under the scanner for the wrong things. It is part of camaraderie that sportsmen must have with each other. That moment was purely understanding an individual’s situation. I don’t think a guy who is coming out of a situation like that needs to be taken advantage of. You can sledge, can have banter on the field, you say things to the opposition in wanting to beat them. But booing someone is not in the spirit of any sport, I don’t endorse it,” Kohli was quoted as saying by ICC.

“Also, that should not be a representation of our fans and what we stand as a cricketing nation, a sporting nation. We need to all take responsibility towards that. Intimidate the opposition, definitely try and have an upper hand but in a matter that is not targeting someone emotionally. That is not acceptable at any level and people should be wary of that,” he added.

On the game front, Australia beat India by 10 wickets in the 1st ODI at Wankhede on January 14. This was the heaviest loss suffered by India in recent years. Both the sides will now head to Rajkot for the 2nd ODI scheduled to be played tomorrow.