WATCH: Virat Kohli shoulders Sam Konstas mid-pitch during Boxing Day Test

Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas were involved in a heated altercation on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26, 2024.

The incident occurred after the 10th over when Kohli and Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old debutant, bumped shoulders while crossing paths on the pitch. Both players exchanged words before the confrontation was interrupted by Australia’s opener, Usman Khawaja, and umpire, Michael Gough.

Replays later showed that Sam Konstas, having just faced the final delivery of the 10th over, was walking straight down the pitch when Kohli, holding the ball, moved from the side of the pitch and deliberately bumped into him.

"I think the emotions got to both of us," Sam Konstas said later on Channel 7, downplaying the altercation. "I didn’t quite realise, I was doing my gloves, then a little shoulder charge, but it happens in cricket." Sam Konstas quickly moved on.

However, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was commentating during the match, had no doubt that Kohli had initiated the contact. “Look at where Virat walks. Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” Ponting said.

Former umpire Simon Taufel also weighed in on the incident, suggesting that Kohli's actions could be seen as "inappropriate physical contact" under the ICC Code of Conduct. “That long shot is exciting because it shows Virat Kohli changing his line to get into Sam Konstas' personal space. The umpires and match referee will take a serious look at this,” Simon Taufel commented.

Despite the confrontation, Sam Konstas responded positively by continuing his impressive debut. After the altercation, he dispatched the first ball of Jasprit Bumrah’s next over to the boundary and made a quick-fire 60 runs off 65 balls. His innings included six boundaries and two sixes, which included a spectacular reverse scoop over the slips off Bumrah.

Sam Konstas, who had replaced Nathan McSweeney for this Test, had already been under pressure facing India’s premier bowlers, including Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. However, he held his ground, surviving the early spells and managing to score freely, with a boundary off Siraj as well. His quick runs helped Australia recover after a tough start, reaching 1-112 at lunch on Day 1.

The altercation with Konstas was not the first of its kind in the India-Australia series. Previously, Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with Australian captain Tim Paine during the 2018 series and also clashed with Mitchell Johnson during the 2014 Adelaide Test.

India's response to this altercation will likely come under scrutiny, and it remains to be seen if the match referee will take action against Kohli.

A few days ago, Kohli was involved in a brief altercation with media personnel at Melbourne Airport after the third Test against Australia. The incident unfolded when Kohli, accompanied by his family, arrived at the airport and was filmed by cameras, sparking a heated response from the cricketer.

Kohli, known for wanting to keep his personal life out of the media spotlight, appeared agitated when he noticed his children being captured on camera. The confusion arose when a group of journalists who were interviewing Australian pacer Scott Boland shifted their focus to Kohli and his family.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has backed Virat Kohli in overcoming his problems with deliveries outside the off-stump in Australia, saying on Tuesday that players of his calibre always find a way to succeed.

Kohli arrested a long run of poor form with an unbeaten century in the first Test in Perth but has frequently chased balls moving away from his stumps in the current five-match series, resulting in his dismissal.

"Modern-day greats will figure out their ways (to deal with the issue)," Rohit told reporters ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Rohit's batting frailties in the most extended format have been laid bare in recent matches.