Atul Wassan downplays Virat Kohli-Musheer incident, stating such moments are part of the game and emotions naturally surface during intense matches.
Virat Kohli On-Field Sledging Sparks Debate; Atul Wassan Defends Aggressive Play
Virat Kohli found himself in the spotlight after a video clip from IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 showed him allegedly sledging young Punjab Kings batter Musheer Khan. The RCB stalwart was seen making a pointed comment at first slip, saying “Yeh paani pilaata hai” (He serves water), referencing Musheer’s earlier role as a substitute. The clip quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. While some fans criticised Kohli for targeting a younger player, others defended him, noting the comment was possibly a light jibe based on Musheer’s substitute duties before he came on as an impact sub—though this detail remains unverified.
Former India pacer Atul Wassan weighed in on the controversy, downplaying the intensity of the incident. “Virat Kohli has a competitive nature; even if he plays with his own baby, he would like to win,” Wassan remarked humorously on OTTplay’s Bails and Banter. He added that such moments are common in high-stakes cricket and reflect the equal footing all players share on the field. Wassan emphasized that competition breeds intensity, and sledging—within limits—is a long-standing part of the game.
‘You have to let people express’
Former India pacer Atul Wassan has come to Virat Kohli’s defense amid criticism over a viral video showing the RCB star allegedly sledging Punjab Kings youngster Musheer Khan during IPL 2025 Qualifier 1. Wassan insisted that sledging is part of competitive cricket and players should be free to express themselves—so long as they stay within boundaries.
“If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime. If someone is doing it within the line, it’s fine,” said Wassan. “Sledging is a mixture of sarcasm, wit and being obnoxious. Of course, there should be no physical confrontation, but certain gestures shouldn’t be misinterpreted. That’s up to the match officials,” he added.
RCB advanced to the IPL 2025 final after an eight-wicket win over PBKS. Punjab still have a shot at redemption, as they prepare to face Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with a place in the final at stake.
