There has been a huge hue and cry recently when Shobha De commented in the negative about the Indian contingent for Rio Olympics not managing to make any podium finishes till now. Sports stars like Sachin Tendulkar and ace rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra and also film celebrities came out in support of the Indian contingent and many ridiculed her thought process as well. The latest public figure to talk on this and back our olympic contenders is Indian Test Cricket captain Virat Kohli. "In an event like Olympics, firstly we need to look at how these athletes prepare.

They give their heart and soul. And for some people to just ignore what they do, I think it is very hurtful. Even in cricket, you can't perform every game and you don't win every series," Kohli said. "These guys go and give 100 per cent effort in what they do. Some people don't even have 10 per cent of the facilities that sportsmen from other countries have. And then they sit and compare in our country," he added. After the backlash from the media and public in general, De said she did not mean to demean the continent's feelings.

Speaking to the media after the 237-run win over West Indies in the third Test, Virat said, "They're giving their 120 per cent effort, and at the end of the day, that is what matters. Once someone wins a medal, that's a big deal because we understand that we don't have those kinds of facilities, but still these guys work as hard as anyone else in the world. They try and go and win a medal for us," he said. "I think we just need to stay positive with all the events that are left. We must give credit to the guys who have gone on and competed. Hats off to the guys who go there and compete and are there in the mix because it's so hard with no preparation and facility, it's so hard to be at that level. But still they go out there and give their heart and soul for the country and we should appreciate that," he added.