"One of your best players in the country" - Alyssa Healy's blunt take on Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas physical contact in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Australia women's team captain Alyssa Healy was not pleased with how Virat Kohli conducted himself on the field while barging into debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The two players had to be separated by teammates following the altercation in the first session.

Tensions were high in the opening hour of play as Konstas' onslaught rattled India. The opening batter took on the Indian bowling attack, including spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. With the 19-year-old debutant looking far too comfortable at the crease, considering the circumstances and the opposition, Kohli walked in his path and collided almost head-on to throw him off his rhythm at the end of the 10th over.

Konstas did not let the incident slide and responded with a few words of his own, while veteran Usman Khawaja calmed down Kohli. The situation had to be calmed down by the on-field umpires in the end.

Alyssa Healy opined that someone of Kohli's stature should not have acted in such a manner.

“It’s a tricky one. Probably more disappointing than anything else that your experienced player, one of your best players in the country, as well is quite visibly looking at the wider picture and made a beeline for the youngest player in the opposition. It doesn’t really set the greatest tone for your side. But if that’s one way the Indian team wants to approach it, so be it. But it didn’t rattle him one bit," Alyssa Healy said on Fox Cricket.

Team India's antics have dominated headlines in the series. Pacer Mohammed Siraj was handed a demerit point and a fine for his aggressive send-off to Travis Head in the second Test in Adelaide.

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"Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation" - Ricky Ponting on the Kohli-Konstas altercation

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also placed the blame for the incident on Virat Kohli, as he chose to barge into Konstas instead of walking over the other side, where plenty of room was present.

"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).

Sam Konstas scored a memorable fifty on debut before being trapped LBW by Ravindra Jadeja towards the end of the first session.