**Official** 4th Test at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 2024

[Qlder]

Just saw the Kohli shoulder charge on Konstas. That has to be a huge penalty surely. He obviously steered right into him and didn't even turn around until Konstas said something

Konstas, Kohli clash in middle of MCG

Sam Konstas has India rattled, and tensions flared with the 19-year-old debutant and India veteran Virat Kohli clashing in the middle of the pitch

www.cricket.com.au

 

[vicleggie]

Just saw the Kohli shoulder charge on Konstas. That has to be a huge penalty surely. He obviously steered right into him and didn't even turn around until Konstas said something

Konstas, Kohli clash in middle of MCG

Sam Konstas has India rattled, and tensions flared with the 19-year-old debutant and India veteran Virat Kohli clashing in the middle of the pitch

www.cricket.com.au

Just alpha male stuff. The boss of cricket giving this debutant a reminder. Nothing to worry about, let's move on. Ravi Shastri will deal with it internally.

 

[King Kane]

Rohit has always been an overrated captain. He goes by matchups and needs a lot of backing of the backroom staff and even then he can suck. People remember his 5 titles in the IPL but I remember him having a bit of an all stars line up and still not making the play offs the same number of times. He has good leadership attributes within the dressing room.

Its just obvious he never has a plan B and while he may still be serviceable in LO cricket as a captain coz that can sometimes work in those scenarios, esp. T20s when the game is so short that you dont often have to push through to your 3rd or 4th plan, but in tests, it has been glaringly obvious. His only plan is to bowl his main seamers in 6 over spells and hope they get wickets.

Bumrah seems like a better captain, it was no coincidence India won the first test when he was captain, he led from the front and lifted his teammates.

Similar to Pat Cummins who has been a great captain and leader for Australia.

 

[honestbharani]

Just saw the Kohli shoulder charge on Konstas. That has to be a huge penalty surely. He obviously steered right into him and didn't even turn around until Konstas said something

Konstas, Kohli clash in middle of MCG

Sam Konstas has India rattled, and tensions flared with the 19-year-old debutant and India veteran Virat Kohli clashing in the middle of the pitch

www.cricket.com.au

Keeping aside the emotions, I think its obvious Virat is going through something and is just not in a great mental space. Today was obviously completely irrationally idiotic behaviour and while he has often acted out in public as an entitled guy, I have also seen a side of him where he is very respectful of the game and his opponents. And with Australia, he usually only reacts badly when there has been provocation. This is totally uncalled for as there was really no reason to do any of this. Added to his issues with the media, I get the feeling there maybe something going on personally and he is not in a great space. Does not excuse this type of horrific behaviour obviously.

But just the fact that he missed an entire home test series for the birth of his second kid, his moving base to UK seems to suggest some kind of health issue for his second kid which maybe the reason he is moving to the UK. Its not the same guy who spoke so glowingly about Pakistan after they beat us in the 2017 CT, and who acted so respectfully when NZ beat us in the WTC finals etc and who defended Mohammed Shami so passionately after that 2020 T20 WC game against Pak. And as I said, even during his youth, outside of carrying on screaming after wickets or whatever, he usually only reacted when something was said or done to him. Just dont think he is in the best space mentally and that means he is gonna suck and we are gonna lose badly this game as well.

 

[Gob]

Just saw the Kohli shoulder charge on Konstas. That has to be a huge penalty surely. He obviously steered right into him and didn't even turn around until Konstas said something

Konstas, Kohli clash in middle of MCG

Sam Konstas has India rattled, and tensions flared with the 19-year-old debutant and India veteran Virat Kohli clashing in the middle of the pitch

www.cricket.com.au

It's quite an effort for a 36 year old to start a quarrel with a 19 year old and ends up looking like the immature one.

 

[Gnske]

When I'm in a bad headspace I also start shoulder barging children.

 

[stephen]

Keeping aside the emotions, I think its obvious Virat is going through something and is just not in a great mental space. Today was obviously completely irrationally idiotic behaviour and while he has often acted out in public as an entitled guy, I have also seen a side of him where he is very respectful of the game and his opponents. And with Australia, he usually only reacts badly when there has been provocation. This is totally uncalled for as there was really no reason to do any of this. Added to his issues with the media, I get the feeling there maybe something going on personally and he is not in a great space. Does not excuse this type of horrific behaviour obviously.

But just the fact that he missed an entire home test series for the birth of his second kid, his moving base to UK seems to suggest some kind of health issue for his second kid which maybe the reason he is moving to the UK. Its not the same guy who spoke so glowingly about Pakistan after they beat us in the 2017 CT, and who acted so respectfully when NZ beat us in the WTC finals etc and who defended Mohammed Shami so passionately after that 2020 T20 WC game against Pak. And as I said, even during his youth, outside of carrying on screaming after wickets or whatever, he usually only reacted when something was said or done to him. Just dont think he is in the best space mentally and that means he is gonna suck and we are gonna lose badly this game as well.

Ok

 

[Qlder]

So India have to bowl 37 overs in the last session in 40°C heat...love it

 

[SteveNZ]

Just alpha male stuff. The boss of cricket giving this debutant a reminder. Nothing to worry about, let's move on. Ravi Shastri will deal with it internally.

The hilarious thing is, it's about as opposite to alpha as can possibly be (I understand you might've been joking). As was his blown kiss in the gully a few balls later.

I reckon he loves being the centre of attention so much, he can't hack it when someone else is. That's why he targeted Konstas. That's why he carries on like a ****wit every wicket, and made a big fuss of nothing the other day at the airport.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Not out. Good call Joel

 

[Spark]

Geez he's lucky to get away with that

 

[Gnske]

Put a legslip in and let Smith get out like a meme again

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Steve Smith played that one like a leg-spinner

 

[Gnske]

Thanks for the update Channel 7 on Konstas's instagram followers. His daily average must be fantastic by now.

 

[Victor Ian]

Virat's thing is another non issue. Dick move at the time but expertly diffused by Khawaja and we can all move on.

 

[andruid]

So we can agree Konstas will be okay at this level?

 

[morgieb]

Has to be a while since all of Australia's Top 3 hit the 50 mark.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Virat's thing is another non issue. Dick move at the time but expertly diffused by Khawaja and we can all move on.

Usman deserved a century for this gesture.

 

[silentstriker]

This is probably the pitch where Pujara will be most missed. Feels quite similar to the 2018 match where he could have batted for about a week

100%

 

[Gnske]

So we can agree Konstas will be okay at this level?

If he stops playing the BBL immediately and learns how to play spin, sure.

Also keep him away from Chris Lynn