Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has said that Virat Kohli deserved a ban for his shoulder barge on Australia’s debutant player Sam Konstas in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The incident took place during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as well.

On talkSPORT Cricket, Steve Harmison said, “What happened with Kohli there, Kohli was bang out of order. Virat Kohli should have been banned for what he did. You know how much I love Virat Kohli and what he has done for the game but there’s a line and you do not cross it.”

While Virat Kohli did not receive a ban, the referee punished him by handing him a 20 percent match fee fine in Melbourne as well. Virat Kohli also got a demerit point for the shoulder bump with Konstas as well.

“Part of me thinks Sam Konstas won’t play even 10 Test matches. Part of me thinks this kid can be an absolute superstar if he delivers. He’s got the chat, he’s got the ramps, he’s got the scoops, he’s got the big shots, but has he got a defensive technique to open the batting in Test match cricket against the world’s best?” I look at him and think he just wants to be David Warner and technically he’s nowhere near as good as David and that for me, if he is opening the batting against England, I’d be happy. I really would. I know we are a really long way away from The Ashes,” Harmison concluded.