WATCH: Virat Kohli, Sam Konstas engage in war of words after shoulder bump at MCG

In his first international match against India at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, young Australian opener Sam Konstas looked outstanding. He appeared to have excellent rhythm and gave the hosts a strong start on which they were hoping to build after winning the toss. The 19-year-old finished his half-century by hitting Jasprit Bumrah all around the park while playing an aggressive style of cricket.

He and Virat Kohli, the standout batsman for India, had a verbal altercation just before that.

As he was heading to the other end following the conclusion of the tenth over, Kohli unintentionally collided with Konstas as their shoulders collided in the middle. Interestingly, Konstas did not like it and initiated the verbal altercation, but at first the 36-year-old did not turn around. As Usman Khawaja and David Gough ultimately intervened and split the cricket players apart, Kohli wasn’t afraid to return it.

Watch the video below:

Kohli and Konstas come together and make contact #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/adb09clEqd

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024

Konstas continued to think aggressively despite the verbal altercation. It took him 52 deliveries to reach his half-century. He addressed the audience with a customary bat lift as he commemorated the milestone by pointing out the Cricket Australia insignia on his breast. Konstas, who showed no signs of slowing down, dragged Mohammed Siraj for a boundary shortly after reaching his half-century.

Notably, the young player was involved from the beginning, as former cricket players Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting expressed their opinions about his inclusion in the starting lineup. Even though Nathan McSweeney performed fairly well in the first three Test matches, the team management chose to start him instead of Konstas. The young player demonstrated his abilities on his debut and may have cemented his place in the starting lineup.

Steve Smith rose to the top of the order after David Warner resigned from Test cricket, but the shift was unsuccessful since he was unable to establish his dominance. Last but not least, Australia will be searching for a long-term project with Konstas and can also arrange for Usman Khawaja to be replaced in the near future.