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Published 16:07 IST, March 18th 2020

Virat Kohli made Justin Langer feel like a 'punching bag' during India's 2018-19 tour

Australia coach Justin Langer reveals that India captain Virat Kohli made him feel like a punching bag with his aggressive celebrations during the 2018/19 tour.

Reported by: Sreehari Menon
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India captain Virat Kohli's celebrations against Australia during the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy made Australia coach Justin Langer feel like a punching bag. India clinched their first-ever series win in Australia but Kohli stole the headlines for his aggressive celebrations and sledging. In The Test, Amazon's latest docu-series which features the Australian team's journey from the ball-tampering saga to the Ashes win, Langer called out the double standards in cricket related to sledging. 

Also Read: Coronavirus in Cricket: Tim Paine Addresses Australian Fans After Cricket Events Get Cancelled

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Virat Kohli celebrations against Australia made Justin Langer feel like a punching bag

India led by Virat Kohli travelled Down Under and clinched a memorable 2-1 series win over the hosts, who were without their stalwarts Steve Smith and David Warner. Australia, who were determined to patch up their reputation having been involved in the ball-tampering scandal earlier in the year, decided against engaging with Virat Kohli in a war of words. However, Kohli's antics angered Justin Langer and the Australia coach opens up about the incident on The Test. Langer said that he felt like a punching bag and they couldn't do anything because they had their hands tied behind their back.  

Also Read: Dinesh Karthik’s Last-ball Six To Win Nidahas Trophy Vs Bangladesh On Mar 18, 2018: Watch

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Justin Langer hits out double standards after Virat Kohli celebrations against Australia

Australia coach Justin Langer hit out double standards in cricket after Virat Kohli's aggressive celebrations against Australia in the 2018/19 Broder-Gavaskar Trophy. Langer said that had it been the Australian captain he would have been treated harshly while Australia had to be careful and take it all in. Justin Langer added that he did not refrain his players from taking on Virat Kohli but advised them to draw the line between banter and abuse. The former opening batsman added that there is no room for abuse but there is banter where you stick up for your mate.

Also Read: IPL 2020 Franchises Prepared To Quarantine Overseas Players In Coronavirus Crisis: Report

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Tim Paine on his spat with Virat Kohli during the Perth Test

Tim Paine had a heated altercation with his Indian counterpart, Virat Kohli, on Day 4 of the second Test match. Paine reveals that it was that moment when the wicketkeeper realised that he had enough. Tim Paine said that at that moment he had enough and thought that he had to stand for his teammates and show that they're in for the fight. While Justin Langer and Tim Paine enjoyed the win at Perth, it was India who had the last laugh as they won the Boxing Day Test and managed to cling onto a draw in the fourth test to clinch a memorable series win Down Under. 

Also Read: PSL 2020: Ravi Bopara Trolls Shahid Afridi While Giving Solution To Decide PSL Champions?

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Coronavirus in Cricket: Australia vs New Zealand, India vs South Africa cancelled, IPL postponed

The Coronavirus pandemic has massively affected the cricketing calendar. IND vs SA, AUS vs NZ and SL vs ENG were all suspended as a precautionary measure. IPL 2020, which is scheduled to kick off on March 29, has been pushed to April and could be pushed as far as July considering the Coronavirus pandemic. The knockout stages of the PSL 2020 were also postponed indefinitely. 

16:07 IST, March 18th 2020