Ricky Ponting blames Virat Kohli for instigating shoulder bump against Sam Konstas

Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas had a shoulder bump on the first day of the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and India at the MCG.

Ricky Ponting blames Virat Kohli for instigating shoulder bump against Sam Konstas

Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli, Sam Konstas (Via X)

The Boxing Day fourth Test match between Australia and India saw much drama as the young debutant Sam Konstas took the attack to the Indian bowlers and scored a lightning-fast half-century. However, the incident that caught the attention of everyone was the argument between Virat Kohli and Konstas. During the match, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting blamed Kohli for instigating the fight against Konstas.

After the 10th over on the first day, Kohli and Konstas bumped their shoulders and engaged in a heated altercation. However, later, it was seen that Kohli changed direction and somehow instigated the contact. Ponting pointed out the same thing during commentary and said that the fielder should have been nowhere close to where both batters have a discussion after the end of the over.

YouTube video

Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever. I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.

Ricky Ponting said on air after the incident

Meanwhile, the ICC has sanctioned Kohli after the end of day’s play. He has been fined 20% of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct on the first day of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne on Thursday. He has also faced a lot of trolls on social media for his actions.

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Sam Konstas scored 60 runs off 65 balls

The young Konstas was sensational on his Test debut, and that too in front of a packed MCG. He took the attack to Jasprit Bumrah and the other pacers with his unorthodox shots. Ahead of the Test match, he boldly proclaimed that he has a plan in place for Bumrah. He definitely threw him off his line with some of the most audacious shots of the day before he was trapped in front of the wicket by Ravindra Jadeja.

Virat Kohli, Sam Konstas
Virat Kohli, Sam Konstas (Via X)

Australia have scored 311 runs for the loss of six wickets at the end of Day 1. Marnus Labuschagne scored 72 runs off 145 balls. Steve Smith is unbeaten on 68 runs off 111 balls, and Aussie captain Pat Cummins is unbeaten on eight runs off 17 balls.

The pitch has looked easy to bat on. However, India will need to restrict the Aussie score to as low as possible on Day 2. Moreover, they have to bat well in the first innings—something that they have not done well in this series so far.