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Virat Kohli Should Not Get Provoked, Verbal Duels Can Affect Team, Says Sunil Gavaskar

Virat Kohli's Verbal Duels Can Affect Team, Says Sunil Gavaskar
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Virat Kohli of India and bowler Mitchell Johnson of Australia exchange words at the end of an over after Kohli was struck by a throw at the stumps from Johnson as Ajinkya Rahane looks on during day three of the Third Test match between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Scott Barbour via Getty Images
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Virat Kohli of India and bowler Mitchell Johnson of Australia exchange words at the end of an over after Kohli was struck by a throw at the stumps from Johnson as Ajinkya Rahane looks on during day three of the Third Test match between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

The Melbourne Cricket Ground has been seeing more than its share of cricket combat: Cricketer Virat Kohli continues his onslaught against Australia both with his bat and his words, however Suni Gavaskar, according to a report by NDTV feels this can prove detrimental for the Indian Team.

Day three of the Test at the MCG saw Kohli being controlled by on-field umpires after delivering strong words against Brad Haddin and pacer Mitchell Johnson. On Day four, he held his own with a score of 169 and let loose another barrage of words against Johnson after the Aussie pacer's return throw hit him, in spite of an immediate apology, Shubhodeep Chakravarty wrote for NDTV.

"If somebody says something to you, don't back off. If you believe what the person is saying is not correct, you have to stand up," said Gavaskar, who also added that Kohli was affected by the exchange of words, and wasn't his normal self.

NDTV also showed an interaction on Star Sports between former Test batsman Sanjay Manjrekar and Australian legend Matthew Hayden. They agreed Kohli needed to control his emotions for the sake of the team. "Kohli has to get used to himself and his emotions. He has to understand what it takes to do well for the team. It is not the Kohli show, it is the Indian cricket show," Hayden said. "It is great to have emotions but he also needs to control those emotions."

Gavaskar feels that Day 5 is an expected struggle for the Indian team, especially given that Kohli is the main stay-up of the line. "Chances of a win are very, very slim. Australia are still calling the shots. Chasing 300-plus on a Day five pitch is never easy and the Indians will have to bat out of their skins," he said.

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