The sports journalism landscape is simmering with controversy after an episode on the India Today Group-owned channel, Sports Tak, led to widespread outrage by commenting on Virat Kohli with fans asking for its boycott
The channel’s panel, led by Vikrant Gupta, sparked this public ire after making what many deem to be inappropriate remarks about Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.
Explained why is boycott Sports Tak trending on Twitter for remarks on Virat Kohli after WTC final 2023
Sports journalist Anil Singh went on air claiming that Kohli, known for his aggressive attitude, suffers from some kind of ‘disorder’. He made comparisons between Kohli’s on-field persona from the IPL to international cricket, hinting that Kohli’s age should be a factor in taming his aggressiveness.
A trend boycott Sports Tak has gone viral in the aftermath of the WTC 2023 final with Kohli fans lambasting the panel for persistently blaming Kohli for the loss and at the same time safeguarding Rohit Sharma despite his woeful performance.
This Clown vikrant Gupta wanted to dropped from T20i , and Now continuously running agenda against kohli and hiding Rohit's failure with bat as well as from captaincy 🤡.
ROHIT KA DALLA VIKRANT GUPTA NALLApic.twitter.com/jiUVA1omuc#Boycottsportstak
— Saurav (@saurav_viratian) June 14, 2023
We all Virat Kohli and ICT fans stand against this PR agency that regularly spews hate against Kohli in the name of journalism.#Boycottsportstak pic.twitter.com/sq9MuJzHOJ
— Virat Kohli Worldwide (@ViratianTweets) June 14, 2023
1rt = 1 slap on anti nationalist @rawatrahul9 . #Boycottsportstak pic.twitter.com/CPzvoDDFwZ
— Kohlified. (@123perthclassic) June 11, 2023
So according Sports Tak journalists Virat has disorder as he is agressive and celebrates on the field . Are you human ??? This is beyond limit anyone can go for agenda and hatred against the captain of the country and says yourself as journalist#BanSportsTak @vikrantgupta73
— 𝒔.🌙 (@softmuff) January 22, 2021
Singh went on to insinuate that Virat Kohli’s behavior is unbecoming of a captain, a father, and a husband. These remarks have now incensed a significant number of netizens who have taken to social media platforms to voice their discontent.
Did Anil Singh crossing the line?
The comments made by Singh and Gupta have drawn sharp rebuke from the public, with many believing that they crossed a line in their critique of the star cricketer. Fans argue that Kohli’s fervor is what makes him the cricketer he is, standing up for his team and the country being interpreted as a positive trait rather than a disorder.
Several Virat Kohli supporters took to Twitter to express their disdain for the channel’s commentary. One fan’s tweet captured the general sentiment, stating, “So according to Sports Tak journalists Virat has a disorder as he is aggressive and celebrates on the field… This is beyond limit anyone can go for agenda and hatred against the captain of the country and says yourself as a journalist.”
The demand for accountability by Virat Kohli fans
In response to these controversial remarks, a Twitter hashtag #BanSportsTak emerged, where users expressed their indignation and called for accountability from the channel. Some have even threatened to unsubscribe from the channel unless it changes its approach to commentary.
Various Twitter users, notably @GauravK8609, have also called for an apology from Anil Singh to Virat Kohli. The user asserted that derogatory remarks about the national team’s captain would not be taken lightly.
Border Gavaskar trophy triumph
The controversy erupted following India’s historical win in the Brisbane Test, leading to the retention of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team’s spectacular performance was even more significant due to the absence of star players and the presence of less experienced ones, who nonetheless played their part flawlessly.
The Indian team’s victory, combined with the controversial comments from Sports Tak, has sparked a heated debate about the role and responsibility of sports journalism, the respect due to national sports figures, and the potential consequences of crossing the perceived line of acceptable criticism.
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