Virat Kohli’s Altercation with Sam Konstas Sparks Controversy on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test

Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) took a dramatic turn when Virat Kohli was involved in a physical altercation with Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old Australian debutant. The incident occurred after the 10th over of the Australian innings during the Boxing Day Test when the players crossed paths on the pitch. Kohli appeared to initiate the confrontation by bumping shoulders with the young batter, sparking widespread debate.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar criticized Kohli’s actions, stating that such behavior is avoidable. Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar remarked, “It’s like walking on a busy street; you simply move aside to avoid a collision. It’s unnecessary and doesn’t belong on the cricket field.”

He added, “Initially, it looked like both players were unaware of each other’s presence, with Konstas focused on his bat and Kohli holding the ball. However, the footage tells a different story, and fines will likely follow.”

As a consequence, Virat Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received a demerit point under the ICC Code of Conduct. The on-field umpires, along with the third and fourth officials, charged Kohli with a Level 1 breach of the ICC’s disciplinary code. Meanwhile, the incident was downplayed by Sam Konstas, who termed the shoulder bump as accidental.

This altercation became the talking point of an action-packed day where cricket and controversy collided. With India vs. Australia heating up, Kohli’s aggressive approach has added another layer of intensity to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Key Highlights:

• Virat Kohli fined 20% of match fee and handed a demerit point.
• Sunil Gavaskar calls for better on-field conduct from senior players.
• The Boxing Day Test continues to be a spectacle, both for its cricketing action and off-field drama.

Stay tuned for more updates from the India vs. Australia Boxing Day Test 2024 as the series remains evenly poised.

Image Credits: NDTV Sports

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