Friday, 16 November 2018 | PTI | Mumbai— The Australian players have of late refrained from sledging, which is perfectly fine with Indian captain Virat Kohli, who is happy to compete “without any altercation” during the upcoming series Down Under. The Australian cricket is going through a massive restructuring and the “win at all costs” strategy employed by teams of yesteryears, is not being encouraged anymore. Both Kohli and senior-most pacer Ishant Sharma felt that it is entirely up to the Australians as to how they play their cricket but assured that their players won’t be the first ones to indulge in any kind of sledging. “I think that’s (no sledging policy) a very personal thing for them. But when it comes to getting engaged in an argument on the field or a fight as people want to call it excitedly, I have been completely ok with playing without the altercation,” Kohli told mediapersons at the pre-departure press conference. Senior pacer Ishant said that he didn’t mind if Australians sledged like earlier tours because he has the ability to give it back if they start. “Let’s see what Aussies do. We will only come to know once we reach there. You don’t expect them to be really friendly and this is a man’s sport. You will go there and get tough conditions. When you play for your country, no one will give you easy runs or wickets. If it’s a tough sport, then you got to be tough and up for any sort of challenge,” Ishant said.
