Chandigarh, 26 December 2024: Debutant Sam Konstas impressed India in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with his bold batting. His audacious approach, charging down the track and reverse-ramping Jasprit Bumrah, unsettled India on Day 1 of the fourth Test after Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat. The tension escalated when Virat Kohli lost his cool and bumped into the 19-year-old Konstas.
The incident occurred as the players crossed over after the 10th over. After taking a single off Mohammed Siraj’s final delivery, Konstas removed his gloves and started walking toward his batting partner Usman Khawaja. Kohli, picking up the ball, moved towards Konstas, and they collided. The two exchanged words, and Khawaja quickly intervened by placing his arm around Kohli. The on-field umpires also spoke to both players.
Vaughan, Ponting Not Happy with Kohli
Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized Kohli’s actions, suggesting that the match referee would likely review the incident. He remarked that it was something Kohli wouldn’t be proud of, stating, “Konstas was going his way, and Virat changed direction. He is an all-time great and vastly experienced, and he would look back and question his actions.” Vaughan also confirmed that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, would likely look into the matter.
Summary: Virat Kohli’s physical altercation with Sam Konstas sparked reactions from Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan, who urged the ICC match referee to take action.