WATCH: Virat Kohli surprised on winning the 2019 ICC Spirit of Cricket Award

Virat Kohli was awarded the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2019 for his gesture towards Steve Smith when he was being booed by the crowd during the World Cup Group match between India and Australia.

Also Read: Watch: Ben Stokes calls 2019 “best in career” after winning ICC Player of the Year award

Here’s what he had to say on winning the award.

“I’m surprised that I have got it, after many years of being under the scanner for the wrong things. It is part of camaraderie that sportsmen must have with each other. That moment was purely understanding an individual’s situation.

I don’t think a guy who is coming out of a situation like that needs to be taken advantage of. You can sledge, can have have banter on the field, you say things to the opposition in wanting to beat them. But booing someone is not in the spirit of any sport, I don’t endorse it.

Video Courtesy: ICC

 

“Also, that should not be a representation of our fans and what we stand as a cricketing nation, a sporting nation. We need to all take responsibility towards that. Intimidate the opposition, definitely try and have an upper hand but in a matter that is not targeting someone emotionally. That is not acceptable at any level and people should be wary of that.”