Virat Kohli’s on-field theatrics have taken centerstage in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the Indian superstar making headlines for his fiery confrontations, a costly run-out mix-up, and his resilience with the bat. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, came out in support of Kohli, praising the 36-year-old for bringing theatre to the game. The drama began on the opening day of the fourth Test when Kohli collided with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during a fiery moment on the field. The 19-year-old Konstas, unfazed by the incident, exchanged words with Kohli, escalating the tension. As Kohli turned back to confront Konstas, umpire Michael Gough and Usman Khawaja had to intervene to defuse the situation.

“Virat creating theatre down under! Let’s GO! Imagine how boring it would be without the Showman! And he’s earned EVERYTHING with his runs over his career! Many would end their successful international careers with a 1/4 of what he’s achieved….” Pietersen posted on X.

Virat creating theatre down under! Let’s GO!

Imagine how boring it would be without the showman! And he’s earned EVERYTHING with his runs over his career!

Many would end their successful international careers with a 1/4 of what he’s achieved….

— Kevin Pietersen(@KP24) December 27, 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) fined Kohli 20% of his match fee and handed him a demerit point for the incident. While the penalty was relatively light, the incident divided opinions, with some condemning Kohli’s aggression and others defending it as part of his competitive spirit.

Kohli’s troubles compounded on the second day, first with a run-out involving Yashasvi Jaiswal. The pair had forged a solid 102-run partnership, but a communication breakdown proved disastrous. Jaiswal, batting beautifully on 82, flicked Scott Boland towards mid-on and set off for a single. Kohli, however, didn’t respond, leaving Jaiswal stranded and run out at the non-striker’s end.

The mix-up appeared to rattle Kohli, who was dismissed shortly after for 36, nicking a delivery from Boland. His departure triggered a collapse, as India fell from 153/2 to 164/5 by stumps, trailing Australia by a massive 310 runs.

India’s position in the Test looks precarious. After Australia posted a mammoth 474, thanks to Steve Smith’s sublime 140, India’s late collapse has put them on the back foot. Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, the unbeaten batsmen, hold the key to India’s hopes of a fightback on Day 3. Lower-order contributions from Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar could also be vital in narrowing the deficit.

Virat Kohli (left) and Sam Konstas got involved in an altercation on Day 1 of IND vs AUS Boxing Day Test.© X (formerly Twitter)

Several former players disapproved of Virat Kohli’s avoidable tiff with young Sam Konstas on Thursday while Australia opener Usman Khawaja said he stepped in to diffuse the tension because he did not want the situation to go out of hands. Khawaja was at the crease when the incident took place in the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the fourth Test in Melbourne. While crossing over, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders and quickly turned around to glance at each other, engaging in a heated exchange of words.

Khawaja immediately stepped in to separate them, putting his arm around Kohli. The on-field umpires also had a word with the two, as things cooled down rather quickly.

“I was walking the other way and just as I turned around, I saw them collide. I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ Sammy was going, he was on fire, his beans were obviously going. I just came to diffuse the situation,” Khawaja told the ABC.

“I like the emotion. There was a bit of chirp going on between Sam and (Jasprit) Bumrah and Virat the whole time. But I didn’t want it to be tainted by any physical contact.

“I’ve known Virat a long time. We’ve been mates a long time. I was like (to Konstas), ‘Chill. I’ll talk to him. You chill, and I’ll sort this out’.” Former players Justin Langer, Michael Vaughan, and umpire Simon Taufel also felt Kohli was at fault.

“We don’t like seeing that in any cricket,” Langer, the former Australia coach, said during commentary for the Seven Network.

“There’ll be plenty said about this.” The incident happened after the 19-year-old Konstas had left India in a state of shock with his sensational stroke-play, taking down Bumrah, on his way to a 65-ball 60.

“Virat Kohli is such an experienced pro, being wound up by a 19 [year old],” Former England Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan told Fox Cricket.

“It’s Virat that walks into Sam.” Taufel, a five-time umpire of the year, too felt it was Kohli who got into Konstas’ line.

“It shows Virat Kohli actually changing his line to get into the personal space of Sam Konstas,” Taufel said while commenting on the Seven Network.

“My suggestion would be they’ll be looking at that seriously and likely do something about that now.” Kohli was later fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and former India coach Ravi Shastri also blamed Kohli for instigating the exchange.

Oz media feels Kohli got away lightly

Australian media seemed not too happy by ICC’s minor sanction on Kohli.

“Virat Kohli is free to play in the Sydney Test after avoiding a suspension for his physical altercation with Australia’s boy wonder Sam Konstas during a dramatic start to the Boxing Day Test,” wrote Sydney Morning Herald.

Foxsports’ headline read: “‘Completely acted wrong’: Kohli shock as star avoids ban for ‘ridiculous’ clash with Aussie teen.”

Young Australian opener Sam Konstas cannot wait to take on the Indian bowlers in the Boxing Day Test and says he already has a “few plans” for Jasprit Bumarh and Co if he gets the nod in the fourth game of the Border-Gavaskar series in Melbourne. Teenage sensation Konstas was handed a maiden call-up as Australia dropped rookie opener Nathan McSweeney for the final two Tests against India. Konstas’ inclusion follows a series of disappointing performances from the Australian top-order in the first three Tests, especially McSweeney.

“I’ve got a few plans against those (Indian) bowlers. Feeling like I’m moving really nice and hopefully I get that opportunity,” Konstas told Fox Cricket.

“I’m just going to react to the ball and show a bit of intent and put a bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” he added.

If Konstas, who turned 19 on October 2, is selected in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, he would become Australia’s youngest Test debutant since captain Pat Cummins, who was 18 years and 193 days old when he made his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011.

“It will be a huge honour debuting. A dream come true. I think it’s a sellout already (at the MCG),” he said.

“I’m very excited (to take on India). I want to be challenged.” Konstas was in the nets when Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey called him to break the news of his inclusion for the final two Tests.

“I was so thrilled. Called my parents straight away… Mum was in tears so I was telling her not to cry. Dad was super proud.

“It’s been an amazing journey. All the ups and down – very grateful for their sacrifices. They’ve been great support to me.” Konstas said McSweeney, the player he replaced in the squad, had congratulated him after hearing the news of his inclusion.

“Nathan McSweeney is a very good player in all three formats – he actually congratulated me this morning so we’re very close mates. I wish him all the best.” McSweeney has admitted to feeling “devastated” after being dropped for the last two Tests of the BGT Tests but vowed to work hard to reclaim his spot in the national team.

Konstas cannot recollect when he started playing cricket but admitted his father had played a huge role in his success in the sport.

“I think from memory (I started playing) maybe four or five years old. Dad would always train me with my older brother Billy and Johnny my twin.

“He’s retired now my dad. I think I’ve hurt his shoulder!” said Konstas.