The spirit of Christmas provided no goodwill between fierce rivals India and Australia as tensions boiled over on day one of the Boxing Day Test. Indian superstar Virat Kohli may face sanction from the match referee after a heated physical clash with Australian debutant Sam Konstas that set the tone for a dramatic start to the pivotal third Test.
Kohli Instigates Physical Clash
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had no doubt that Kohli was the instigator of the controversial incident that occurred after the 10th over of Australia’s innings. The Indian veteran appeared to deliberately veer from his path to bump shoulders with the 19-year-old Konstas.
Look at the way Virat walked. He walked one whole pitch over to his right to instigate that confrontation – no doubt in my mind whatsoever. The umpires and referee will have a good look at that.
Ricky Ponting on Seven Network
Replays showed Kohli veering across the pitch towards Konstas, with the two bumping shoulders as they crossed paths. The young Australian appeared stunned by the contact, while a fired-up Kohli seemed to suggest it was Konstas’s fault. Fellow opener Usman Khawaja quickly stepped in to play peacemaker, putting an arm around Kohli to diffuse the situation.
Debutant Konstas Rattles India
The altercation came amidst a dazzling debut innings from Konstas that clearly unsettled the tourists. Just moments before the shoulder bump, Indian paceman Mohammed Siraj had given the teenager a verbal barrage after being hit for consecutive boundaries.
But Konstas would not be rattled, immediately responding to the Kohli clash by smashing the first ball of Jasprit Bumrah’s next over to the fence. The 19-year-old showed incredible poise and attacked the world’s top-ranked bowler with fearless aggression on his way to a brilliant 60 from just 65 deliveries.
[Konstas] has definitely gotten up their nose a little bit. He’s flustered them. There’s frustration out there.
Ponting on Konstas rattling India
Pressure Builds on Struggling Kohli
The clash comes amidst a difficult tour for Kohli, who took issue with local media filming his family upon arrival in Melbourne. Other than an unbeaten century in the first Test, the Indian icon has struggled for runs, not passing 11 in his other innings so far.
With the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar series delicately poised at 1-1, India desperately needs their talisman and captain to regain his best form in Melbourne. But the added scrutiny of a potential sanction for his role in the Konstas incident will only amplify the immense pressure Kohli finds himself under.
Crucial Contest Finely Balanced
Konstas’s spectacular 60, aided by Usman Khawaja’s more sedate 38 not out, lifted Australia to 1/112 at lunch on a riveting opening day. The hosts will be thrilled with their start in the pivotal Boxing Day clash, blunting India’s much-vaunted attack on a good batting surface.
But with Kohli and India sure to fight back hard, and tensions already bubbling to the surface, this enthralling encounter between two proud cricketing powers is delicately poised. The Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas duel may have only just begun – and it might be the spark that defines this captivating series.
