Chandigarh, January 8, 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): Australia batter Sam Konstas did become quite a sensation among the home fans during the Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney against India in the space of the last two weeks, but he exactly wasn’t as popular in the Indian camp. And it all began with the incident involving Virat Kohli in the Boxing Day match. Yet, he sought out his idol after the game, and was left surprised at his response.
In the MCG Test, in the opening session, Konstas made a stunning start to his debut by pulling off an unthinkable that rattled the Indian team. In a face off against a red-hot Jasprit Bumrah, one of the best pacers in the world who had single-handedly kept India alive in the series, the youngster displayed immense fearlessness and audacity as he smashed 34 runs off 60 balls against the pacer, which included two ramp shots for boundaries. And the 19-year-old followed it by egging the Melbourne crowd.
To top it all, Konstas then found himself in a heated exchange of words with Kohli after the former India captain deliberately bumped his shoulders into the Aussie batter as he was making his way towards the other end of the crease at the end of the 10th over.
‘I told Kohli that I idolise him…’
Speaking to CODE Sports in a wide-ranging interview, the 19-year-old revealed that after the match in Melbourne, he had a conversation with Kohli in Melbourne where he told the 36-year-old that he idolises him.
“I had a little chat after the game telling him that I idolise him, and it is obviously a huge honour playing against him,” Konstas said.
Summary: Sam Konstas recalls a surprising conversation with Virat Kohli following their shoulder-bump incident, praising Kohli’s humble and down-to-earth demeanor.