Sam Konstas: Teenage debutant clashes with Virat Kohli amid bold ramping start to Australian Test career

Virat Kohli is set for scrutiny over a physical clash with Australian teen debutant Sam Konstas on the first morning of the Boxing Day Test, with Ricky Ponting declaring he had “no doubt” the Indian veteran had instigated the contact.

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Kohli gave Konstas a hip-and-shoulder in the middle of the 19-year-old’s remarkable batting onslaught at the MCG on Thursday.

The former Indian captain appeared to go out of his way to run into Konstas in an incident that is now expected to be assessed by umpires and the match referee as soon as the lunch break.

“I think the emotions got to both of us,” Konstas told Seven.

“I didn’t quite realise, I was doing my gloves and then a little shoulder charge. It happens, it’s cricket.”

Veteran Aussie opener Usman Khawaja had to help cool tensions, putting his arm around Kohli before the umpires stepped in.

Former Test captain Ricky Ponting said he had no doubt Kohli had sparked the clash.

“Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation... no doubt in my mind whatsoever,” he said.

“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that... fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage.

“Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together. It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late. Wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer.”

Former Test umpire Simon Taufel said the confrontation would be looked at, but wasn’t convinced there would be any repercussions.

“I tend to think they’ll let that one go. That’s my view at this stage. Let the players say what they want to say. Get a few things off their chest. At times if it goes further, they’ll probably let that one slide,” he said.

Konstas was asked about the clash during a drinks break television interview but only said it “stays on the field”.

Later in the morning, Kohli was then roundly booed by the Melbourne crowd again when a wayward throw into ‘keeper Rishabh Pant almost hit Marnus Labuschagne.

Nerveless teenager Konstas raced to a barely believable half-century off just 52 balls before he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for 60 off 65 balls.

Konstas hit two boundaries and a six with reverse ramp shots against Bumrah, then took the attack to Mohammed Siraj too in a wild start to the Test.

After one over, he gestured to rev up the heaving Boxing Day crowd like a conductor in the middle of the MCG. Then he tapped the coat of arms on his shirt with his bat as he passed 50.

The teenager’s innings ended shortly before lunch after he was pinned LBW by Jadeja, with a standing ovation around the ground as he walked off.

He was later taking selfies and signing autographs for fans as he lapped up the spotlight on an unforgettable morning at the ‘G.