After instructing India’s top batsman Virat Kohli on morality, Ricky Ponting has become embroiled in a scandal as a video of him shoving Harbhajan Singh went viral
Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test is typically an event, but this year it was even more intense. There was more drama on Day 1 than the 19-year-old Australian debutant Sam Konstas, who shook India with his brave hitting and even reverse-rammed Jasprit Bumrah.
Video of Ricky Ponting pushing and sledging 19 year old Harbhajan Singh during Sharjah ODI goes viral
When Virat Kohli had a brief altercation with the young Australian, things quickly heated up. Konstas and the Indian veteran got into a shoulder-bumping altercation. Cricket fans had differing opinions on the scuffle, and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting quickly blamed Kohli for “instigating” the fight.
Renowned for his fiery demeanour, former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has become embroiled in controversy after teaching India’s top batsman, Virat Kohli, morality. A rediscovered 1998 video and photo that was posted on Twitter depicts Ponting pushing and shoving a young Harbhajan Singh, who was only 19 years old at the time.
During a India-Australia one-dayer in Sharjah in 1998, Australian cricketer Ponting had tried to sledge and mock a 19-year-old Harbhajan after he was dismissed by the off-spinner.
Hello gentleman @RickyPonting pic.twitter.com/3yNHxYiCug https://t.co/8QLoN2rBVU
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) December 26, 2024
Given that Ponting’s previous on-field behaviour was frequently violent and unsportsmanlike, this has generated controversy, with some doubting his present position as a moral leader.
Ponting recently questioned Kohli’s on-field behaviour during the Boxing Day Test, saying it was excessive and against the spirit of the game. He made reference to a conversation between Kohli and Australia’s 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas when he added, “You can be competitive without crossing the line.”
However, Ponting’s remarks have garnered notice since they seem to contrast his moral critique and his own on-field conduct, which was often viewed as combative and violent during his playing career. The debate has only been intensified by the picture’s reappearance. Given his own past, critics contend that Ponting shouldn’t lecture Kohli.
Picture of Ricky Ponting flirting with 19 years old Harbhajan Singh….. today he is giving lesson of morality to Virat…. pic.twitter.com/Ft7a1Wi7Ax
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) December 26, 2024
Reactions of netizens
Cricket fans’ reactions to the fight were divided.
One Twitter user remarked, “If Ponting wants to teach morality, perhaps he should start by looking at his own actions during his playing days.”
Fans of Kohli have responded by supporting him. Manoj, a Twitter user, brought attention to Ponting’s previous antics during the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, pointing out that Ponting was exaggerating the violent behaviour of players like Kohli.