India vs Australia | BCCI denies reports on Virat Kohli-Tim Paine "best batsman in world" banter in Perth

India vs Australia | BCCI denies reports on Virat Kohli-Tim Paine "best batsman in world" banter in Perth

no photo

|

Getty

BCCI has released a statement rubbishing the report which claimed that Virat Kohli and Tim Paine were involved in banter where Kohli said that he is the "best batsman in the world" and Paine as "just a stand-in captain". The Test series is currently levelled 1-1 after the Aussies won the Perth Test.

While the Aussie skipper was batting during the second Test in Perth, there was a verbal duel that took place between both the captains on the field. The umpire had to intervene in between to restrict both of them from chest bumping into each other during the banter. Aussie cricket writer Robert Craddock mentioned the incident on Cricket360 claiming that Virat said, “I’m the best player in the world and you’re just a stand-in captain.”

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board has denied the claims and clarified that nothing of that sort was spoken by the Indian skipper on the ground during the second Test match. 

“There are reports doing the rounds in the media and across social media platforms claiming India Captain Virat Kohli got involved in a banter with Australia Captain Tim Paine during the 2nd Test at Perth. It is “assumed” that Kohli said, “I am the best player in the world and you are just a stand-in captain”. These claims were based on hearsay and the BCCI would like to bring into notice that no such words were spoken on the field by the Indian captain,” said a statement released by BCCI.

After the Aussies defeated India by a big margin of 146 runs in Perth and levelled the four-match Test series, Paine too talked about the incident at the post-match press conference. Both the captains denied any personal attacks on each other during the game and no one crossed the line as per Paine and Kohli. 

“It got pretty close. It was a highly competitive Test match from both teams. There’s a lot on the line and both teams desperately want to win and sometimes that stuff happens.

 “I love it. I enjoy watching Kohli, I always have. I think he brings out the competitive spirit in a lot of people which is great, and I’m sure it was great to watch. I was really proud of the way our team conducted themselves on the field this week. We definitely will (the Indian team for a beer) after the series. That’s always been the thing that has happened and will always be the case,” Paine said in the post-match press conference.

“Well, it is definitely nothing compared to 2014, to be honest. As long as there is no swearing on the field, and there are no personal attacks, the line doesn’t get crossed. That’s it!,” the Indian skipper explained. 

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all