During the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, things got heated between Virat Kohli and Australia’s debutant opener, Sam Konstas. It all went down at the end of the 10th over when the two players bumped shoulders as Konstas walked toward Usman Khawaja. The moment sparked a fiery exchange, with umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja stepping in to cool things off.
The incident didn’t end there. The ICC reviewed Kohli’s actions and slapped him with a 20% match fee fine and a demerit point for inappropriate physical contact. Kohli accepted the penalty without any fuss, but the clash left fans and commentators divided.
Meanwhile, Sam Konstas seemed unbothered. The young gun went on to score a brisk 60 runs, playing some bold, unorthodox shots that had the crowd buzzing. After the game, he brushed off the spat, saying such moments are part of cricket and even praised Kohli, calling him one of the greats.
But not everyone was as forgiving. Former players like Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan criticized Kohli’s behavior, calling it unsportsmanlike. The Australian crowd wasn’t impressed either, booing him during the match—a rare sight for a player of his caliber.
This incident has sparked debates about sportsmanship and emotions in cricket. Was it just competitive fire, or did Kohli cross the line? Either way, moments like these remind us why cricket is as much about the players’ personalities as it is about their skills.
What’s your take on the incident? Did Kohli let the pressure get to him, or was it just a normal part of the game?
