Temper flared during the first session of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday when Virat Kohli and debutant Sam Konstas were involved in a heated exchange. The incident happened as Australia, with the series tied at 1-1, made a good start after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat.
Explosive Start For Sam Konstas
Konstas gave the Australians an explosive start; he threw India’s ace pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, out of rhythm. Bumrah was struggling in the opening spell; he took 20 runs from the first five overs, giving two maidens. To the 10th over, Australia had reached 44/0, with the tension mounting. The atmosphere was getting more critical with Kohli and Konstas clashing head-on.
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Tensions Between Virat Kohli And Sam Konstas
As Konstas passed, Kohli got a bit physical with the debutant, shoulder bumping him. Konstas was not pleased, and he immediately confronted Kohli. Words were even exchanged between the two in the midst of Usman Khawaja trying his best to cool things with an arm around Kohli. Things were getting bad very quickly, but at least the umpires saved things from going any worse.
Ricky Ponting Slams Virat Kohli After Confrontation
“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” Ponting said on Channel Seven.
“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.
“It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer.”
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A Stunning Debut For Konstas
When the incident took place, Konstas was on 27, but he didn’t let the drama affect his game. The young Australian went on to score a remarkable half-century off just 52 balls, taking control of the game and putting Australia in a strong position. His innings made history as he became the second-youngest Australian to score a Test half-century at just 19 years and 85 days old.
