The incident involving Virat Kohli and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) crowd during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2025 revolved around the controversial “sandpaper-gate” scandal that had rocked Australian cricket a few years prior. Following the dismissal of Steve Smith, Kohli seemingly engaged in taunting the Australian fans by mimicking the act of rubbing the ball, a clear reference to the sandpaper incident that led to Smith’s ban and a tarnished reputation for Australian cricket. This act immediately ignited a fiery reaction from the crowd, with boos and jeers echoing around the SCG. While some viewers and commentators perceived Kohli’s actions as gamesmanship and part of the intense rivalry between the two nations, others criticized it as disrespectful and inappropriate, crossing the line of acceptable on-field behavior. The incident reignited the debate about sledging, sportsmanship, and the responsibilities of players, particularly high-profile individuals like Kohli, on the international stage.
The sandpaper scandal, which occurred during a Test match against South Africa in 2018, involved Australian players tampering with the ball using sandpaper to gain an unfair advantage. Cameron Bancroft, under the direction of then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, was caught on camera altering the condition of the ball. The incident resulted in year-long bans for Smith and Warner, a nine-month ban for Bancroft, and widespread condemnation from the cricketing world. It damaged the reputation of Australian cricket and led to significant soul-searching within the team and Cricket Australia about the team’s culture and values. The incident cast a long shadow over Australian cricket, and any reference to it, even years later, remained a sensitive issue.
Kohli’s actions at the SCG in 2025 tapped into this raw nerve within Australian cricket. By invoking the sandpaper incident, he not only targeted Smith personally, but also reminded the Australian crowd of a shameful chapter in their cricketing history. This context significantly amplified the impact of his taunt, turning what might have otherwise been seen as typical on-field banter into a much larger controversy. While some argued that Kohli was simply playing mind games and engaging in the competitive spirit of the game, others saw it as a deliberate attempt to provoke and inflame tensions, crossing a line of respect and decorum. This divergence of opinion reflects the complex nature of sledging in cricket and the varying interpretations of what constitutes acceptable behavior within the highly charged atmosphere of international competition.
The incident highlighted the ethical complexities of on-field behavior and the potential for individual actions to resonate far beyond the immediate context. Kohli’s status as one of the most recognizable figures in world cricket magnified the impact of his actions. His taunt resonated not only with the crowd at the SCG but also with cricket fans and commentators globally, sparking extensive debate across various media platforms. The incident raised questions about the responsibilities of prominent athletes to act as role models and the potential consequences of crossing the line between fierce competition and disrespectful conduct. This incident also served as a reminder of the lingering impact of the sandpaper scandal on Australian cricket and the continued sensitivity surrounding this particular episode.
The reaction to Kohli’s actions was varied and reflected the different perspectives on the incident. Some within the Indian cricket fraternity defended Kohli, arguing that it was merely a bit of gamesmanship within the context of a fiercely contested series. They highlighted the intense pressure and emotional intensity of such high-stakes matches and suggested that his actions should be viewed within this competitive environment. However, many within Australian cricket and the wider cricketing community condemned Kohli’s behavior, deeming it disrespectful and insensitive. They argued that invoking the sandpaper scandal, a particularly painful memory for Australian cricket, was unacceptable and crossed the line of fair play. The incident reignited the broader debate about sledging and the role of sportsmanship in international cricket, raising questions about where the line should be drawn between acceptable banter and unacceptable behavior.
The incident involving Kohli and the SCG crowd underscored the enduring legacy of the sandpaper scandal and its continuing impact on Australian cricket. Kohli’s taunt served as a stark reminder of the incident and its lingering sensitivity within the Australian cricketing community. It also brought to the fore the ongoing debate regarding the ethics of sledging, the role of player behavior, and the responsibilities of high-profile athletes in setting standards of sportsmanship. The differing views on Kohli’s actions highlight the complexities surrounding this issue and the challenges of navigating the fine line between acceptable competitive behavior and actions that cross into disrespect and insensitivity. The incident ultimately served as a microcosm of the larger, ongoing conversation about the spirit of cricket and the expected conduct of players on the international stage.
