NEW DELHI: India’s team management has denied reports that Virat Kohli used offensive language at a journalist during a World Cup practice session in Perth, Australia.

The Indian media reported widely Wednesday that Kohli apparently mistook the journalist for somebody who had published a negative story about the batsman’s girlfriend.

Kohli is key player in India’s attempt to defend the title.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India issued a brief statement saying: “There was a misunderstanding and no abusive language was used. Virat has spoken to the concerned gentlemen immediately and matter ends ...”

The journalist, Jasvinder Sidhu, has complained to the International Cricket Council.

The front page of the Hindustan Times ran the headline: “Virat swears by Anushka.”

Noted columnist Pradeep Magazine described the behavior as “reprehensible” for a leader of the national cricket team.

The Times of India carried a report and noted previous episodes involving Kohli.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Murdoch Oval in Perth where India were training ahead of their Pool B match against the West Indies at th WACA ground on Friday.

As soon as he wrapped up his net session, Kohli stormed to the sidelines and let off a volley of expletives at a horrified Indian reporter, eyewitnesses said.

The visibly shaken journalist wondered why Kohli had pounced on him without any possible provocation — until it was found to be a case of mistaken identity.

Kohli had actually planned to target a reporter from another Indian newspaper apparently for writing about his personal life.

Realising his mistake, Kohli offered his apologies through an intermediary, also a reporter.

He told the intermediary to inform Kohli that such behavior was not expected from an international sportsman even if it was not directed at him.

“Go and tell him that he is an international player and he should learn how to behave,” the journalist said. “How can he abuse and intimidate someone?

“I would like to add that Kohli did not apologize to me directly.”

The team management declined to comment but sources said the temperamental Kohli, next in line for the India captaincy after MS Dhoni, had been spoken to and told to ensure such incidents were not repeated.

The bust-up has added to an already fragile relationship between the traveling journalists and the team, which has avoided all media contact outside the mandatory press conferences before and after a match.

Defending champions India have had a good start in the tournament, winning all their three matches against old foes Pakistan, mighty South Africa and minnows United Arab Emirates.