Ricky Ponting slams Virat Kohli for heated exchange with Sam Konstas, says ‘he instigated that confrontation’

New Delhi: Ricky Ponting expressed standpoint that Virat Kohli purposely stirred up an altercation with Sam Konstas, a rookie in the Australian team, on the first day of the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Speaking on air for Channel 7, the former Australian skipper reproached Kohli for intentionally getting caught up in a physical disagreement with the 19-year-old player.

“We are seeing the replay again of the physical altercation between Konstas (Sam) and Virat,” Ponting said on air. “And have a look at where Virat walks. Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever.”

In an interesting turn of events, Kohli and Konstas happened to cross paths right after the 10th over of Australia’s innings concluded. This incident unfolded while Konstas was trying to switch ends to have a chat with his opening mate, Usman Khawaja, during the over break.

Before a potential clash could occur between Kohli and Konstas, on-field umpire Michael Gough intervened following a brief exchange between the two players and Khawaja.

Besides the incident with Virat, Konstas made a striking Test debut that we can’t ignore. At just 19, he bravely stood up against the Indian bowlers, specifically taking on Jasprit Bumrah with aggression. Remarkably, Konstas joined the history books as the second player in Test cricket to smash two sixes off Bumrah in a single innings, the first being England’s Jos Buttler.

Konstas seemed at ease confronting Bumrah, skillfully using both regular scoops and reverse scoops to counter the quick throws of the Indian bowler.