Indian team downplays Kohli's outburst against journalist

Perth, March 4 (IANS) The Indian cricket team on Wednesday tried to play down Tuesday's incident when vice captain Virat Kohli hurled abuses at a Hindustan Times correspondent during the team's training session here.

A furious Kohli allegedly used obscene language against Hindustan Times writer Jasvinder Sidhu to the shock of many journalists present at the Murdoch Oval here.

The Indian team disputed Sidhu's version, saying no abusive language was used and that Kohli had apologised directly to him.

"There was a misunderstanding and no abusive language was used. Virat has spoken to the concerned gentlemen immediately and matter ends," India team manager R.N. Baba was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

However, Sidhu wrote in an article that "when I turned my attention towards Virat, I realised he was getting worked up and raising his voice at me. His furiously wagging index finger left no room for doubt - I was clearly the victim of his scorn.

"However, to confirm, just in case, I pointed towards myself and gestured if he was talking to me. The confirmation came with another gesticulation. Unable to believe that I was the one being singled out, I looked askance in either direction. Huffing and puffing, Kohli said, 'Yes ba***d ... you are here also'."

Kohli reportedly then headed to the dressing room but reappeared 15 minutes later smiling at Sidhu. Kohli then relayed an apology through another reporter, saying he had mistaken Sidhu for someone else.

However, Sidhu wrote: "I would like to reiterate that Kohli didn't apologise to me directly."

Kohli's outburst came in the wake of a report in some other daily vis-a-vis his girlfriend and actress Anushka Sharma staying with him during the England tour last year despite a ban by the Indian cricket board.