Sunil Gavaskar has hinted that disciplinary action could follow a heated confrontation between Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.The legendary cricketer expressed disappointment at the incident, calling it "uncalled for" and suggesting that fines might be handed out once the match referee reviews the footage.
The altercation occurred in the opening session when Konstas, walking toward his batting partner, collided with Kohli, who was repositioning himself on the field with the ball in hand. The shoulder contact appeared intentional on Kohli's part, although the intent remained unclear.
The collision led to a verbal exchange, prompting intervention from the umpires. Australia's Usman Khawaja also stepped in, attempting to diffuse the tension by placing his arm around Kohli.Gavaskar, co-originator of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, discussed the incident during the lunch break broadcast, stating, "This was completely avoidable. It's like walking on a busy street, you just step aside. These incidents don’t belong on the cricket field, especially not from someone as experienced as Kohli."
Tests between India and Australia are renowned for their high intensity, often leading to altercations and controversies, particularly involving Kohli. The former India captain has a history of fiery encounters with Australian players, including a notable clash with Tim Paine during the 2018 series, and a tense duel with Mitchell Johnson while scoring a remarkable century in Adelaide in 2014.These moments have only added to the fierce rivalry between the two cricketing nations.(UNI)
