[Watch] When Harbhajan Singh barged into Ricky Ponting during Coca Cola Cup 1998

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was one of the first to criticize Virat Kohli's aggressive action of colliding with Sam Konstas on Day 1 (Thursday, December 26) of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. However, the legendary batter was himself involved in a similar incident against an 18-year-old Harbhajan Singh during the 1998 Coca-Cola Cup.

The tri-series clash in Sharjah saw Ponting being outfoxed by Harbhajan, who was playing only his fourth ODI. The right-handed batter stepped out during the 14th over and was stumped by Nayan Mongia after being stranded out of the crease, as he missed the ball.

Harbhajan Singh aggressively gestured towards Ponting to go back to the dressing room while celebrating the wicket and was left stunned after Ponting barged into him in retaliation. He launched a glare while walking on, while Harbhajan also issued a stare, an incident that kick-started a rivalry for the ages.

Have a look at the incident right here:

Ponting was dismissed for 31 runs off 26 deliveries while Harbhajan finished with figures of 1-63 off eight overs. Australia posted a commanding 284-7 on the board, as Sachin Tendulkar stole the show in the run chase with his iconic 'Desert Storm' hundred.

Harbhajan dismissed Ponting five times in six innings during the iconic 2001 Border-Gavaskar series in India.

Tensions were high between the pair during the infamous 2008 Border-Gavaskar series in Australia as well, with Ponting leading the hosts amid the 'Monkeygate' scandal. However, both have retired and are on good terms now, even presenting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to the crowd together ahead of the ongoing series.

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

While commentating on Day 1 of the fourth Test on Thursday, Ricky Ponting opined that Kohli deviated from his natural walking path to deliberately run into Konstas and kick-started the altercation.

"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 Channel 7.

It remains to be seen how the ICC views the incident, and whether reprimands are in store for either Virat Kohli or Sam Konstas at the end of the contest.