As we wrapped up our production for Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, the only question among our team was: Did Virat Kohli do the right thing when he instigated an altercation with a 19-year-old who was taking a toll on India? Yes, Sam Konstas wreaked havoc with one of the best fifties on the series; yes, the entire Australian top-order made runs; and yes, Jasprit Bumrah continued his menace in this BGT. But what was the main talking point? Virat Kohli shoulder-barging youngster Konstas, who was troubling Indian bowlers big time on his debut.
Boxing Day Test: What exactly did Virat Kohli do?
The MCG Test got spicier on Day 1 when Virat Kohli and 19-year-old Australian debutant Sam Konstas had a mid-pitch altercation that had fans buzzing. The incident took place in the 10th over of the morning session when the two collided—literally—while crossing paths on the pitch.
Konstas, walking from one end to the other after the over, found himself face-to-face with Kohli, who was tossing the ball in his hand. Replays showed Kohli moving from outside the pitch straight into Konstas’ path, leading to a shoulder bump that neither player seemed to take lightly. Both turned around immediately, exchanging some heated words before Aussie opener Usman Khawaja and umpire Michael Gough stepped in to cool things down. Khawaja had his arms around Kohli’s “shoulders” to calm the fiesty character down.
Latest on Cricket
- “Don’t want to play in India,” Pakistan opener’s stern message for Women’s ODI World Cup 2025
- Dewald Brevis’ entertaining CSK debut cut short by a worldie catch from Kamindu Mendis
- Chennai pitch not same since 2010? MS Dhoni surprising remark parallels CSK’s horrible IPL 2025 campaign
Virat Kohli was obviously wrong but…
It would’ve definitely come up as a huge surprise for Konstas, who admires Virat Kohli. Yes, during his days at the Under-19 World Cup, Konstas chose Kohli over local hero Steve Smith. This talks something about the former Indian captain, who is more Australian than most Australians.
The sledge, the banter, the argy-bargy—all just flare up whenever the BGT season is on. But what Kohli did was obviously something not nice to see on television. Even if Kohli fails in the rest of his career so far, he would still be called one of the all-time greats. That is the level he is at. He is a demigod among some. But to initiate a heated moment and barge a 19-year-old kid, who is giving the MCG crowd something to cherish, is something we call “uncalled” for.
The ‘Virat Kohli’ perspective
But there’s a different perspective to it as well: the Virat Kohli perspective. At 36 years of age, in his fifth tour Down Under, when he doesn’t need to get involved in such situations, why did he? Well, the question is itself a flawed one. He is VIRAT KOHLI. The man just lives up to these heated exchanges. It somehow brings out the best in him, something that India dearly need. Something that even he would admit he needs. Yes, Kohli sizzled a century in Perth but he has looked a shadow of a batter he is other than that. His “love-hate” relationship with outside off-stump deliveries just continues to give and Aussie bowlers haven’t even been that relentless to him yet. Still, the modern-day master has just 21 runs in his last three outings.
