‘Loving it in front of…’ – Sam Konstas breaks his silence after altercation with Virat Kohli in Melbourne

The first day of the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne saw action aplenty in the first session of the day. Sam Konstas made his intention clear to go after India’s bowlers with his daring batting as he scored a quick fifty on debut. The morning session also saw an altercation take place between the batter and former India skipper Virat Kohli. 

Virat Kohli shoulder barged Sam Konstas as the two players were making their way past each other at the end of the 10th over. Konstas was quick to turn around and Kohli then glared at the youngster with the pair exchanging words. The situation was brought under control by umpire Mark Gough and senior Aussie batter Usman Khawaja. 

Speaking to the host broadcaster during the drinks break, the batter was heard saying “Whatever happens on the field stays on the field. Loving it in front of a packed stadium”. The batter was out for 60 runs when he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja in the 20th over. The opening batters added 89 runs for the 1st wicket to put India under pressure. 

Heated altercation spices up Melbourne Test

This isn’t the first time players from both sides have had a go at each other. Mohammed Siraj gave Travis Head a send-off during the Adelaide Test. Indian pacer was given a 20% fine for his act after Head was out for 140. The two players seemed to make it up with a hug during the end of the game saw Australia win by 10 wickets. 

Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting trained his guns on Virat Kohli for ‘instigating the fight’. The 50-year-old while speaking on 7 Cricket said “We are seeing the replay again of the physical altercation between Konstas (Sam) and Virat”. 

Ponting also said “And have a look at where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever.". former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar said that both players could be pulled up by the match referee for their fight.