AUS vs IND: Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas’ shoulder clash on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test

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The first day of the Boxing day Test match ended with Australia scoring 311 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. The Australian innings was star-studded with well-knit knocks from opener Usman Khwaja and No.3 Marnus Labuschagne. However, it was a storming 60-run knock of the debutant, Sam Konstas which was the highlight of the Australian innings on the opening day.

Konstas with his unique batting skills quickly became the crowd’s favourite at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It was not just his batting which was a point of chatter amongst fans and analysts, but his tussle with Indian batting wizard Virat Kohli also became a major talking point on Boxing Day.

Sam Konstas shines against India at the MCG

The 19-year-old started his innings against India patiently, but soon he transitioned to a much familiar batting display. The debutant is known in the Australian circle for his out-of-the box batting and ability to score quickly. The youngster did not disappoint the MCG crowd and started hitting all around the ground.

With Konstas hitting the pacers in an impeccable manner, the Indian skipper decided to test the youngster with spin. Ravindra Jadeja was called in to bowl the 19th over. Konstas couldn’t read the second delivery of Jadeja’s over and gave away his wicket on a leg-before-wicket appeal from the Indian all-rounder. The Indian team could finally breathe in a bit easily as Jadeja delivers with the much-needed breakthrough.

Also Read: Top 3 fastest fifties on Test debut for Australia ft. Sam Konstas

The heated exchange between Kontas and Virat Kohli

By the time Konstas left the ground, the tone of the Boxing Day Test had already been set up by the debutant, not just with the bat but also with a pumped up encounter with Kohli. As the opening pair was switching sides, Kohli, approaching the strikers’ end, barged shoulder-to-shoulder with the youngster. The clash instigated Konstas who replied back with some words, in what many speculate was a deliberate attempt from Kohli to get under Konstas’ skin. The former Indian skipper replied Konstas back with some words of his own before on-field umpires and Australian batter Khwaja meddled in between to stop the two players. Konstas was batting at 27 at the time of the clash with Kohli.

The encounter between the Australian opener and star Indian batter quickly became viral on the internet with reactions from cricket legends and fans alike.

Meanwhile, former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting, who seemed furious with Kohli’s act, said: “Virat walked one whole pitch over to his [Konstas’] right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever.”  The analysis from Ponting further flared up fans of the two sides, with some supporting Kohli and others furious over his actions.

Also Read: AUS vs IND: Here’s the penalty Virat Kohli received from ICC for his on-field clash with Sam Konstas




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