Kohli’s Bodyguard Allegedly Abuses Journalists, Sparks Debate
A significant controversy has erupted in Cardiff over Virat Kohli’s personnel security representative who has been accused of verbally abusing accredited members of the press as India’s side arrived ahead of the second ODI against England.
The two journalists, Subhayan Chakraborty and Abhishek Tripathi, said they were photographing the team’s progress from within the designated media area with legitimate press credentials.
The incident has triggered a larger debate about BCCI security arrangements on foreign tours and whether Indian players on central contracts are allowed to have private security.
The reported argument erupted as Kohli entered the team bus. According to the reporters’ account, the security approached and argued heatedly with one of them, calling him names the entire time.
The verbal attack persisted even after the journalist displayed their accreditation card indicating them to be registered press. But it wasn’t a one-off, according to other stories, with hints that the same individual had previously run into trouble with the media.
“Just f*ck off from here,” the bodyguard stated, many journalists on social media alleged the bodyguard told them. Even after the journalist told them multiple times that they were from the media and showed them their papers, the guard kept making insulting comments.
See the tweet below
भारतीय वनडे टीम के एक खिलाड़ी के साथ चलने वाला या बॉडीगार्ड वहां गई मीडिया के साथ लगातार बदतमीज़ी कर रहा है। टी20 टीम के साथ ये बॉडीगार्ड नहीं था। पहले भी मीडिया के साथ बदतमीज़ी कर चुके इस बॉडीगार्ड ने मीडिया मैनेजर के कहने पर अपनी निर्धारित जगह पर खड़े एक मीडियाकर्मी को फक ऑफ,… pic.twitter.com/FuupDwr2zP
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) July 15, 2026
The row has escalated because centrally contracted players are said to be barred from using private protection on bilateral foreign assignments by the BCCI rulebook, with official security provided by the BCCI and host nation authorities.
For the first time, an Indian player has been accompanied by a personal security in a bilateral series. Several members of the media have asked the BCCI to hold a formal inquiry and take disciplinary action.
Did BCCI say anything about Virat Kohli bodyguard episode?
The BCCI has maintained silence so far and Kohli has not spoken publicly. If the claims are found to be genuine and a BCCI centrally contracted player violates the conditions of the contract by bringing in an unauthorised personal guard, then the Indian team authorities and the BCCI are likely to consider the case internally.
Any infraction of such conditions may lead to official disciplinary procedures under central contracts including official warnings, cash penalties or other consequences based on the findings.
When will Virat Kohli play next?
Kohli stays in the Indian ODI squad as the team gears up for the match at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16, 2026. India are leading the three-match series 1-0 and need one more win to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
India’s Axar Patel was the match-winner in the opener with a four-wicket haul and an unbeaten 57. The last match is to be played at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19.
