The Border-Gavaskar Trophy witnessed a dramatic moment as a shoulder bump between Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas led to a heated exchange on the field. Neither party appeared willing to back down, prompting intervention from Usman Khawaja and the on-field umpires. The incident has added a layer of tension to an already intense Test series.
The collision, whether accidental or intentional, has sparked widespread debate. Legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on the matter, expressing his disapproval and emphasizing that such situations are avoidable.
“It’s unnecessary. It’s like walking on a crowded street—if you see someone coming, you step aside. It doesn’t make you any less of a person to avoid contact,” Sunil Gavaskar remarked during the lunch break on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He added, “These things don’t belong on a cricket field, especially not in a high-profile series like this.”
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Reports suggest that match referee Andy Pycroft is reviewing the footage and could impose penalties, including fines or demerit points, depending on the assessment of intent.
Sunil Gavaskar, reflecting on the incident, initially believed it to be unintentional, stating, “From the first look, it seemed both were focused elsewhere—Konstas on his bat and Kohli on the ball. However, replays might tell a different story.” While Gavaskar refrained from assigning blame, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was unequivocal in his judgment.
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“Virat clearly walked across the pitch and instigated the confrontation,” Ponting said on Channel 7. “There’s no question in my mind. Fielders should not be near the batsman at that point. From what I saw, Konstas looked up too late to avoid it. Kohli might have to answer for this.”
The incident has added an edge to the ongoing Test, with emotions running high on both sides. As the match referee deliberates, cricket fans worldwide are divided, with some calling it gamesmanship and others labeling it poor sportsmanship. The final decision on the matter could have significant implications for Kohli and the series.
