NEW DELHI: On the first day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, Virat Kohli and Australian youngster Sam Konstas got into an argument on Thursday.
However, the 19-year-old home debutant downplayed the incident, claiming the Indian superstar had bumped into him by accident.
As the players were crossing over following the conclusion of the tenth over of the Australian innings, the brief confrontation occurred. As they crossed the field, Kohli and Konstas collided.
Usman Khawaja, Konstas' teammate, intervened to break up the tense exchange of words when both players swiftly turned to face one another. The two were also spoken to by the on-field umpires.
After stumps, Konstas told reporters that Kohli had accidentally bumped into him.
"Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me, that's cricket and can happen with tension," said the teenager at the post-match press conference.
"I think the emotions got to both of us. I didn't quite realise, I was doing my gloves, then a little shoulder charge, but it happens in cricket," he added.
Konstas, who was batting on 27 at the time, went on to hit Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six in the next over.
The teenager scored a stunning fifty on debut before Ravindra Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket.
"I reckon maybe 20-30 years ago, people were probably saying defend a lot, just about all day but I think for new generation, there are new shots," Konstas, whose knock included a couple of audacious sixes in Jasprit Bumrah's first spell, said.
"It's exciting for me obviously, I like doing that, putting pressure back on the bowlers and hopefully it pays off in the next innings," Konstas added.
"Yeah, definitely premeditated especially with the pace but just trying to keep my head still and just watch it as hard on my back. But yeah, got a few away today and changed the field, which was good, and then trying to bolster my zones," Konstas explained.
He was dismissive of the dread of failing and argued that there is a method to the madness.
"I think it probably will look silly if I do get out, but I worked pretty hard on that shot and I feel like it's probably a safe shot for me really," he said of his hits against Bumrah.
"But I think that's the beauty about being young. It may be a bit naive, but I'm just trying to put pressure back on the bowlers, the best way I think is and yeah, good to get a few runs today," he added.
Though confident, Konstas nevertheless acknowledges the potential of a bowler of Bumrah's caliber.
"He's a legend of the game obviously. So I was trying to put a bit of pressure on him and it paid off today. I think I am always challenging myself, trying to bring the best out of me," said Konstas, who has learnt his cricket under former Bangladesh first-class player Tahmid Islam.
When Bumrah beat his bat four times in the opening over, Konstas conceded that he was fortunate.
"I think, just getting used to the wicket, first time facing Bumrah, getting used to his action. He beat my bat quite a few times and I was lucky enough to get a few away but it was a great contest," he said.
However, he claimed that things wouldn't alter because he plays by taking chances.
"Pat Cummins was being really good to me, just saying, be myself and I'm here for a reason because I'm scoring runs. So I felt that was the right moment today to do it and yeah, it paid off. I'll always be Sam," he said.
With his parents and brothers present, former captain Mark Taylor gave Konstas the Test cap, and he immediately ran out in the center, ready to start the match.
He asked Usman Khawaja, his senior partner, to give him the opportunity to strike first against Bumrah.
"...that's a part of my routine. I always like to go out first, assert my dominance in a way and try to own the crease. But yeah, I told Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) straightaway, I'm going to go out first, and I'm going to go for the win.
"...he's so good to bat with, very calm and relaxed and just someone to trust my instincts and back my game," he heaped praise on his senior partner who also got a half century as Australia raced to 311/6 on day one.
Regardless of his level of confidence, the youngster found everything odd when he saw the almost full MCG and a choc-a-bloc Aussie dug-out.
"I feel like the boys welcomed me. So just playing with that freedom and backing myself and lucky to get a few runs today, obviously a bit disappointed with the way I got out," he said.
