NEW DELHI: Several former cricketers criticised Virat Kohli's unnecessary confrontation with young Sam Konstas in Melbourne on Thursday. Australia's Usman Khawaja intervened to ease the tension, stating he wanted to prevent the situation from escalating.
The incident occurred after the 10th over of Australia's innings on day one of the fourth Test. The two players collided shoulders while crossing paths and exchanged heated words after turning to face each other.
Khawaja promptly intervened by placing his arm around Kohli, while the umpires spoke to both players to resolve the situation. Khawaja later explained to ABC that he witnessed the collision and stepped in to calm the situation, particularly as Konstas was visibly agitated.
He acknowledged the ongoing verbal exchanges between Konstas, Bumrah and Kohli but wanted to prevent physical contact. Khawaja mentioned his longstanding friendship with Kohli and his efforts to mediate between the players.
"I was walking the other way and just as I turned around, I saw them collide. I was like, 'What's going on here?' Sammy was going, he was on fire, his beans were obviously going. I just came to diffuse the situation," Khawaja told the ABC.
"I like the emotion. There was a bit of chirp going on between Sam and (Jasprit) Bumrah and Virat the whole time. But I didn't want it to be tainted by any physical contact.
"I've known Virat a long time. We've been mates a long time. I was like (to Konstas), 'Chill. I'll talk to him. You chill, and I'll sort this out'."
Justin Langer, Michael Vaughan and Simon Taufel also expressed disapproval of Kohli's behaviour. The incident followed Konstas's impressive 65-ball 60, which included aggressive batting against Bumrah.
Vaughan criticised Kohli's reaction to a 19-year-old, while Taufel noted that Kohli altered his path to enter Konstas's space. The ICC subsequently fined Kohli 20 percent of his match fee and issued one demerit point.
"We don't like seeing that in any cricket," Langer, the former Australia coach, said during commentary for the Seven Network.
"There'll be plenty said about this."
"Virat Kohli is such an experienced pro, being wound up by a 19 [year old]," Former England Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
"It's Virat that walks into Sam."
"It shows Virat Kohli actually changing his line to get into the personal space of Sam Konstas," Taufel said while commenting on the Seven Network.
"My suggestion would be they'll be looking at that seriously and likely do something about that now."
