The Australian media lashed out at India cricketer Ravindra Jadeja for avoiding English questions. Jadeja faced the reporters ahead of the Boxing Day Test but he reportedly only answered questions in his native language, leaving Australian journalists bemused who later vented out their frustration through media articles. The incident came days after Virat Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with Australian journalist for taking pictures of his family without permission.

However, Indian journalists soon came out in support of Jadeja, saying that he was not bound to speak in English and it was their job to translate what he said.

“One Aus media outlet says Ravindra Jadeja refused to answer questions in English. First he did not. Second, if he does speak in Hindi it is for them to translate,” wrote prominent journalist Boria Majumdar.

“Will Aussie cricketers be expected to answer in Hindi when they come to India? If a player is uncomfortable in a language- by the way Jadeja is not, what’s the issue? Ask Indian colleagues who are there what he said and use the quotes. No big deal.

“This is plain bogus. Messi doesn’t even speak the language. What would you do then? Not report his press meet? Or are you trying to get under the skin? Only difference is this is a very different India. All that will happen is it will add to the intensity and the give back.

“Now it is becoming a no holds barred content with all the cushy cushy friendliness thanks to the IPL going out of the window,” he said.

Meanwhile, the fans also slammed Australian media’s hypocrisy over Jadeja’s preference for his native language.

The Boxing Day Test gets underway on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The teams will aim to take a lead in the fourth Test, with the series currently tied at 1-1.