Former India captain Virat Kohli appears to be in big trouble after his run-in with Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, the 4th game in the five-match series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday. Kohli had dropped Konstas on 20 as the 19-year-old batter moved along to 60 off 65 balls in his first-ever international innings.
Kohli’s subsequent heated altercation with debutant Konstas on the opening morning of the Boxing Day Test is likely to draw scrutiny from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting criticized Kohli, accusing him of instigating the incident.
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The confrontation occurred during the fourth Test, with Ponting likening the clash to something out of Australian Rules football. According to Ponting, Kohli deliberately moved across the pitch to initiate contact with Konstas between overs. “Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind,” Ponting said on Channel Seven.
The altercation saw Kohli and Konstas bump into each other before exchanging sharp words. Usman Khawaja, Konstas’ opening partner, intervened by putting an arm around Kohli, while umpire Michael Gough stepped in to diffuse the tension. Neither player appeared willing to back down.
Ponting emphasized that such behavior is against the rules. “Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every player knows the areas where batsmen gather.” Ponting suggested that Konstas appeared unaware of Kohli’s approach, noting that Kohli “might have a few questions to answer.”
ICC match referee Andy Pycroft is expected to review the incident under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which prohibits inappropriate physical contact. A Level Two offense could lead to three or four demerit points, potentially ruling a player out of the New Year’s Test in Sydney. A Level One offense, however, would likely result in a fine.
The confrontation drew comparisons to a 2018 incident between Kagiso Rabada and Steve Smith, where Rabada initially received three demerit points before the penalty was overturned on appeal. Observers noted that Kohli’s contact with Konstas appeared more forceful than Rabada’s with Smith.
Konstas, when asked about the clash, downplayed its significance, telling Fox Cricket during a drinks break, “Whatever happens on the field stays on the field.” Interestingly, Konstas had previously named Kohli as one of his idols, expressing admiration for the Indian star after scoring his maiden Sheffield Shield century.
Australia women’s captain Alyssa Healy criticized Kohli, accusing him of targeting the youngest player in the Australian team. “It’s disappointing that one of your best and most experienced players visibly made a beeline for the youngest player in the opposition,” Healy told Fox. “It doesn’t set a great tone, but it didn’t rattle Konstas one bit.”
Ponting and former umpire Simon Taufel suggested that the incident might not lead to a suspension. “We don’t want to see any physical contact during the game; it can escalate,” Taufel said. “There’s adrenaline flowing, but I think this was something out of nothing. It’s likely they’ll let this one slide.”
