Won’t be surprised if Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas smilingly pose for a photo after MCG Test, says former Australian pacer

Former Australian pace bowler Stuart Clark played down the shoulder-barging incident featuring Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Terming both the players as competitive characters, he asserted that he wouldn't be surprised if they smile and pose for a photo after the MCG Test.

Konstas made a brilliant Test debut by hammering 60 off 65 on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test on Thursday, December 26. During his knock, he was shoulder-barged by Kohli. The Indian cricketer's behavior led to plenty of criticism and he even copped a 20 percent fine from the ICC.

Speaking to news agency PTI, though, Clark opined that too much should not be read into the incident. He also stated that Kohli and Konstas might get along pretty well given their similar competitive nature.

“He's (Konstas) a competitor. He wants to compete. He wants to do well. So, from that point of view, I think that incident (shoulder-barging) that happened in history, I think what you'll find is, I wouldn't be surprised if (Virat) Kohli takes him under his wing,” the former Australian pacer commented.

“And there'll be a photo of them after the game, smiling and laughing about it. He won't take a backward step. No one expects Kohli to either. No one expects anyone to take a backward step. It was just not a great incident,” Clark went on to add.

Interestingly, the 49-year-old, who has followed Konstas' journey closely, opined that the 19-year-old's debut knock was a bit 'out of character'. He elaborated:

“He is an aggressive player and that innings was a bit out of character. I am more interested to see how he plays in the second innings whether he attacks or plays a traditional game. Or goes out and plays flamboyant cricket. (David) Warner is special in his own way and Sam will be special in his own way."

Konstas' debut knock featured six fours and two sixes. He added 89 runs for the first wicket with Usman Khawaja (57) being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja.

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Konstas is the youngest Australian opener in men's Tests

At just 19 years and 85 days, Konstas became the youngest Australian opener in men's Test when he walked out to bat at the MCG. The right-handed batter is also the second-youngest Australian to score a fifty in Tests after Ian Craig (17yr 239d).

Konstas needed only 52 deliveries to bring up his half-century - the third-fastest by an Aussie on Test debut after Adam Gilchrist (46 balls) and Ashton Agar (50 balls).