Virat Kohli is under fire again for another run-in with rookie Australian batter Sam Konstas after running at the teenager following Usman Khawaja’s last-ball dismissal on day one of the fifth Test.
Vision has emerged on Star Sports of Kohli sprinting in a loop from the slips cordon at Konstas who was standing at the non-striker’s end when his opening partner fell for two to Jasprit Bumrah.
Konstas had exchanged barbs with Bumrah in a heated end to day one of the fifth Test in Sydney, with umpires needing to get between the pair.
The 19-year-old prodigy says Kohli was a childhood hero and the Indian superstar took the time to chat with Konstas at Kirribilli House at a government function before the SCG Test.
But all pleasantries were pushed to the side in a dramatic final over of play, Bumrah and Konstas first clashed when Khawaja pulled away from a ball, with India’s captain accusing him of delaying to ensure this would be the day’s last over.
Konstas inserted himself by chatting back at Bumrah, prompting both umpires to intervene and order their pair back to their positions.
With tensions high, Khawaja was then caught at second slip on the final ball of the day and India’s talismanic seamer and several teammates ran straight at Konstas to celebrate in his face.
The incident became the flashpoint of a chaotic opening day after India were bowled out for 185 and Australia went to stumps at 1-9.
India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant played down the situation after play.
“I feel they had a little chit chat, they wanted to waste some time. I think that’s the reason he had a conversation with Jasi (Bumrah),” Rishabh said.
“He said something, I didn’t hear it, but I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do was just waste some time so we don’t bowl one more over.”
Konstas has clearly got under India’s skin in his first two Tests.
There is also the question of whether Konstas’s exchange acted to fire up Bumrah before the great quick landed a crucial blow for the tourists in snaring Khawaja’s wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli celebrate with teammates after dismissing Usman Khawaja. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Konstas showed his aggression with the bat immediately on Friday, charging Bumrah’s first ball and hitting him for four late in the day.
“I’m not really sure (what happened), it was an interesting one,” Australia’s debutant Beau Webster said.
“I was sitting next to Heady (Travis Head) in the rooms watching on TV.
“The first ball when he ran down the wicket and clipped him over mid wicket there was no surprise anymore. It was just like, ‘Here we go, he’s away’.
“He is a very confident young man. That’s what they do these days, they get after it and put themselves out there.
“He’s got all the skills and talent to back it up, so hopefully he has a really good day tomorrow and puts some good runs on the board and puts us in a decent position.”
Earlier in the day, Kohli survived a confident appeal to be out for a golden duck after third umpire Joel Wilson denied Australia’s claims for a catch in the slips cordon and only made 17 in India’s first innings of 185 to continue a mostly miserable series with the bat.
Kohli was fined after day one of the Boxing Day Test for bumping Konstas in between overs.
Virat Kohli edges to slip. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
The ICC docked Kohli one demerit point, meaning he avoided suspension, as well as docking him 20 per cent of his match fee.
Umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig all reported Kohli.
He admitted to the offence and accepted the penalty from Andy Pycroft, who was officiating in his 100th Test as match referee.
The ICC said Kohli “walked up to batter Sam Konstas and negligently bumped his shoulder with the batter inappropriately.”
Prior to the match, the Indian superstar took exception to local media when he arrived in Melbourne.
with AAP
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