Team India’s batting star Virat Kohli appeared to shoulder-barge Australia’s opener Sam Konstas on Day 1 (Thursday, December 26) of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Test (BGT) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
A video shared on social media shows the two crossing paths between overs when the incident took place at the charged-up venue. The clash occurred after the 10th over of the innings, with the 19-year-old Australian debutant making an impressive start.
As Kohli held the ball and Konstas walked in the opposite direction, Kohli tackled him with his shoulder, and the two exchanged a few words. Konstas’ opening partner, Usman Khawaja, stepped in to intervene.
You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/7cricket/status/1872075722249912813?s=46
Konstas became the 468th Test cricketer for Australia and marked his debut with a half-century, giving the home team an early lead after Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bat first. This was also the first time in the series that Cummins won the toss.
Sam Konstas replaces Nathan McSweeney in Australia’s fourth BGT Test lineup
After Nathan McSweeney struggled against India’s new-ball bowlers in the first three Tests, selectors replaced him with the New South Welshman, a decision that has been justified so far.
McSweeney was dismissed four times out of six by Jasprit Bumrah, as was Khawaja, whose highest score in the three Tests is 21. Australia made another change, bringing in Scott Boland for the injured Josh Hazlewood, who limped off during the third Test in Brisbane with a sore calf.
In contrast, India made one change, adding an extra spinner, Washington Sundar, and leaving out Shubman Gill. The tourists won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs, but Cummins and his team bounced back with a 10-wicket win in the second game in Adelaide.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.