Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli have been the centre of attraction in the ongoing India vs Australia Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While Konstas grabbed attention for his bold fifty on his international debut against bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Akash Deep, Virat Kohli found himself in the spotlight for a controversial incident in the morning session of Day 1, when he shoulder-pushed the 19-year-old Konstas between overs.
A moment that sparked significant discussion during the Boxing Day Test occurred when Virat Kohli shoulder-bumped the Aussie debutant, resulting in a heated exchange between the two before the umpires had to get involved. As a consequence, Kohli was fined 20 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit point for the incident. While some former Indian cricketers called Kohli’s actions unnecessary, Australian media also strongly criticized the former Indian skipper, labeling him a 'bully' and a 'clown.'
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Interestingly, while fielding on Day 2, Konstas mimicked Kohli’s shoulder-barge gesture in front of the MCG crowd. Konstas, who has been very interactive with the MCG crowd, invoked a reaction from the MCG crowd while recreating Kohli’s shoulder-bump action.
Watch the video here:
Konstas enjoyed a dream Test debut, scoring 60 off 65 balls, with six boundaries and two sixes. Both the sixes that he hit came off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling. His knock laid a solid foundation for the home side, who finished their first innings with 474 runs, thanks to 140-run knock from Steve Smith.
In contrast, Kohli couldn't capitalize on his start, falling for 36 after edging a delivery from Scott Boland to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.