"I didn't quite realize" - Sam Konstas opens up on shoulder barge with Virat Kohli on Day 1 of BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Australian debutant Sam Konstas has opened up on the showdown with Virat Kohli in the morning session of Day 1 (Thursday, December 26) of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test in Melbourne. The 19-year-old replaced Nathan McSweeney in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test.

Konstas had a dream debut, scoring a breathtaking half-century in his maiden Test innings. The right-handed opener took down Jasprit Bumrah, who had been a nemesis for Australian openers in the first three Tests of the series. So much so that the Indian team seemed shocked by his ultra-aggressive batting approach.

The youngster also had a physical altercation with Kohli, with the latter giving the former a shoulder push in between overs. The two also had a verbal exchange before the umpires intervened to settle things down.

The ace Indian batter's actions have earned him criticism from several former cricketers. Aussie legend Ricky Ponting called out Kohli, saying that the Indian batter 'instigated' the incident.

"Have a look where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever," Ponting said on air (via 7Cricket).

However, Sam Konstas has played down the incident, saying the emotions got over both him and Kohli. In an interview with 7Cricket, he said:

"I think emotions got over both of us. I didn't quite realize, I was doing my gloves and then there was a little shoulder charge. But it happens, it's cricket."

Konstas was eventually dismissed by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja after scoring 60 off 65 deliveries, including six boundaries and two maximums. His knock has given the home side a brilliant start in the match, which they had been lacking in the series so far.

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"I was going to play good cricket shots" - Sam Konstas on whether he pre-planned playing reverse scoops to Jasprit Bumrah

Sam Konstas signed into the Australian camp straight from the Big Bash League, where he was representing the Sydney Thunder. He brought his T20 game to MCG but revealed that it wasn't his plan to play those shots.

“It wasn’t a plan yesterday. I was going to play good cricket shots, but Bumrah is obviously a world-class bowler, and yeah, just trying to put pressure on him, trying to change his tactics was the key thing,” Konstas said in the same interview.

Sam Konstas looked nervous initially as he missed a few deliveries before unleashing himself on Jasprit Bumrah, playing three audacious reverse scoops over slips and hitting two fours and a six in the process.