Indian cricket veteran Virat Kohli has come under fire for an unsportsmanlike incident during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where he made shoulder contact with 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas.
The teenager dazzled with daring shots, putting the Indian bowlers under immense pressure. Frustrated, Kohli seemingly veered towards Konstas at the end of the 10th over, colliding into him and exchanging words before Usman Khawaja intervened.
The incident failed to intimidate Konstas, who responded with a flurry of boundaries in the next over. Fans and pundits alike condemned Kohli’s actions, with commentators labeling the act as “pathetic” and “entitled,” while Indian supporters called for strict sanctions against the cricket star.
This is not the first time Kohli has faced scrutiny for physical altercations on the field; a similar incident in 2019 earned him a one-point sanction.
The ICC Code of Conduct prohibits intentional physical contact, and reports suggest Kohli could face a suspension if the match referee classifies the act as a Level Two offense.
Cricket legends like Michael Vaughan and Ricky Ponting criticised Kohli for targeting the unshaken teenager, questioning the veteran’s behaviour.
What a debut by Konstas – 50 not out of 52 ball.
And he has the Indians so rattled that Kolhli shows appalling sportsmanship by shoulder bumping Kontsas, who then responds by smashing 18 off the next over from Bumrah pic.twitter.com/Xn12YnFwru
— Craig Kelly (@craigkellyXXX) December 26, 2024
People are gonna be talking about this for years.
‘Remember when Sam Konstas turned up on Boxing Day and reverse ramped the best bowler in the world half a dozen times in half an hour. It was awesome!
The most extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen.pic.twitter.com/xj8UPkGPWS
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) December 26, 2024
