India’s Virat Kohli, talks to Australia’s Sam Konstas (second left) as Usman Khawaja (right) looks on during the first day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. (AP Photo)
Former India coach Ravi Shastri was one of the harshest critics of the shoulder barge incident between Indian cricket team talisman Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas.
The incident happened in the first session of Day 1 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test. It was after the 10th over of the morning, when both players were returning to their positions after the over had ended.
Replays seemed to suggest that former India captain Virat Kohli cut across from his initial position on the leg side of play, while he had the ball in his hand, and walked beside the pitch where Konstas was returning back from the other end. The duo collided shoulder to shoulder before Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli exchanged words. Australia’s Usman Khawaja then walked in to defuse the tension and even put an arm around Kohli’s shoulders.
READ MORE: Who’s saying what after Virat Kohli’s shoulder clash with Sam Konstas
Ravi Shastri on Kohli vs Konstas
Ravi Shastri, who was coach of the Indian team when Virat Kohli was captain, spoke out against the incident.
India’s Virat Kohli, right, talks to Australia’s Sam Konstas, second left, as Australia’s Usman Khawaja, looks on during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
“That was unnecessary. Totally unnecessary. You don’t want to see that. Virat’s a senior player, he’s been captain of the Indian cricket team. He will have his own explanations with regards to that incident. But it’s something you don’t want to see. One person who will be watching — his eyes will be locked into the proceedings — will be Andy Pycroft,” said Shastri while giving his analysis from the middle of the ground during a break in action.
It remains to be seen what action match referee Andy Pycroft will take.
In his first Test innings at the cavernous Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sam Konstas scored 60 runs off 65 balls before he was dismissed LBW by Ravindra Jadeja.
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
