Sam Konstas’ Test debut has started in the most remarkable fashion, with the teen sensation playing a number of spectacular ramp shots to bamboozle Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and send a heaving MCG crowd into raptures on Boxing Day. However, the 19-year-old’s stunning onslaught, after Australia won the toss and elected to bat, was soured by a physical altercation with Virat Kohli that could land the Indian superstar in trouble with the match referee. After Konstas had played a number of audacious shots, Kohli walked directly towards him at the end of an over and bumped into his shoulder.
Kohli followed it up with some words to the youngster. Given that players are not allowed to deliberately make physical contact with each other, Kohli could face a ban for the fifth Test at the SCG. “Absolutely unnecessary,” former Indian coach and player Ravi Shastri said.
“I imagine the match referee will look at it very closely.” Former Australian coach Justin Langer added: “No good. We don’t like seeing that in any cricket.
Plenty will be said about this.” After receiving his baggy green cap before play from former NSW and Australian opener Mark Taylor, Konstas was out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja for 60 off 65 balls after smashing the third-fastest Test half century on debut in a breathtaking display of batting. After taking eight balls to lay bat on ball, Konstas tried to reverse ramp his 11th delivery – a short-of-a-length ball – over the slips cordon but the bal.
