India's Virat Kohli, right, talks to Australia's Sam Konstas, second left, as Australia's Usman Khawaja, looks on during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)Debutant Sam Konstas had Indians rattled during a sensational debut on Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Thursday. After missing a couple of ramp shots early on, the 19-year-old opener took on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in an extraordinary display of attacking batting.
Then came a moment of altercation with Virat Kohli that will be discussed quite a lot in the hours and days to come. At the end of the 10th over, Konstas was walking down the pitch to the middle. The former India captain picked up the ball from around where the forward short leg fielder would be. He then moved towards his right and started walking diagonally towards Konstas. And a few short steps later the shoulders collided between the two. Konstas turned back to have a few words with Kohli and then the Indian player too had some words to share as things got heated.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
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“Seeing replay again of the physical confrontation. Have a look where Virat walks. Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said on 7cricket.
"Have a look where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever."
– Ricky Ponting #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zm4rjG4X9A
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024
Usman Khawaja came over to try and calm things down quickly, putting his shoulder across Kohli even as umpire Michael Gough tried to keep the two players separated to prevent further escalation. Ravindra Jadeja eventually dismissed Konstas for a thrilling 65-ball 60 with six fours and two sixes.
Australia’s Sam Konstas watches the ball after playing shot during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
While speaking to Fox Cricket’s flying Fox mic during the drinks break, Sam Konstas said: “It’s quite surreal. Look at the turn out. I’m just trying to play with some freedom and just back myself.”
"I'll look to keep targeting him. Hopefully he might come back on."
Sam Konstas wants round two with Jasprit Bumrah: https://t.co/LSqCHmF7kH#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/LvJAmaCACb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
“Hopefully I can get a few more.”
When asked about the ramp shots, the youngster said: “When the ball was coming down. I’ll look to keep targeting him. Hopefully he might come back on. But we’ll see what happens.”
On his shoulder barge with Virat Kohli, he said: “Whatever [happens] on the field stays on the field. It doesn’t get any better for a debut with this packed stadium.”
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