Indian cricket star Virat Kohli faced criticism for an on-field altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The incident occurred after the 10th over of the opening session when Kohli, walking towards the other end of the pitch, intentionally bumped shoulders with the 19-year-old. The exchange of words that followed prompted the umpire to step in and defuse the situation. As a consequence, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received a demerit point for violating the ICC’s Code of Conduct.
Lighthearted Response from the Konstas Camp
Despite the tension on the field, the Konstas family appeared to downplay the incident. Sam Konstas humorously imitated the shoulder bump during a fan interaction at the MCG. His brother, Billy Konstas, even found the altercation entertaining, remarking, “It added a bit of a spectacle to cricket, a bit of rugby league action going on in the cricket space.” Billy highlighted Sam’s tough demeanor on the field while describing his humble personality off it. This perspective helped to ease the controversy and added a lighter tone to the situation.
Charity Event Brings Reconciliation
The incident seemed to be water under the bridge by New Year’s Day, when Kohli joined Sam Konstas’ brothers at a charity event hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House in Sydney. The event, part of the Glenn McGrath Foundation’s celebrations, offered a chance for reconciliation. Billy Konstas shared a cheerful photo with Kohli, captioning it: “Happy New Year! Thanks to Prime Minister Mr Albanese for his hospitality as well as celebrating the McGrath Foundation.” Kohli and the Konstas brothers were also joined by Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah for another friendly snapshot.
As the series heads to its deciding fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7, the stakes remain high. India needs a victory to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, while Australia can secure the series with a draw. Despite the on-field drama, moments like these reflect the camaraderie and mutual respect that transcend competitive rivalries in cricket.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
