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A heated exchange with Kohli ensued after a shoulder-to-shoulder collision on the field, leading to the ICC penalizing the former Indian captain.
Virat Kohli (R) and Sam Konstas (L)
BCCI president Roger Binny reflected on the on-field altercation between star India batter Virat Kohli and Australia’s debutant Sam Konstas on the first day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Konstas turned heads with his impressive performance against India’s pace attack. The 19-year-old notably scored 34 of his 60 runs off Jasprit Bumrah, showcasing remarkable composure. However, it wasn’t just his batting that grabbed headlines. A heated exchange with Kohli ensued after a shoulder-to-shoulder collision on the field, leading to the ICC penalizing the former Indian captain with a 20% match fee fine and a demerit point.
When asked about the incident, Binny stated that such incidents are part of cricket and emphasized the need to move forward.
“I did not see the incident (Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas), but these things happen on the cricket ground. You have to accept it and carry on. Ensuring the game moves forward is what matters,” Binny told ANI.
Konstas, speaking at the post-day press conference, called the collision accidental. “I was just adjusting my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me. But I think that is just cricket, just the tension,” he remarked.
Binny also lauded the Indian team’s fightback in the final session of the first day’s play, where they claimed four quick wickets, turning the momentum in their favour.
“India did well in the final session to grab those quick four wickets, which brought us back into the match. Now it looks very interesting. Hopefully, it will be a good game from here on,” he added, expressing confidence in the batting unit to complement the bowlers’ efforts.
Australia, having elected to bat first, ended the day at 311/6, with notable contributions from Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72), and Steve Smith (68*). Despite the solid start, India’s late-session breakthroughs kept the contest evenly poised.
- Location :
Melbourne, Australia
