There are a lot of strong feelings in the cricket community about what happened between Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas, who was making his debut for Australia. What should have been just another day at the crease turned into a scandal, and fans, pundits, and past players have all had harsh things to say about it.
There is a storm in the cricket world because of Kohli’s hit. Here’s what each person said.
Former Australian starter and coach Justin Langer did not hold back, calling the touch an embarrassment to the sport.
“We don’t like seeing that in any cricket,” Langer said in a sad tone while commentating for the Seven Network.
“There’ll be plenty said about this.”
A legend of the game and past captain of Australia, Ricky Ponting, was quick to warn Kohli about what could happen.
“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that,” Ponting stated, his tone laden with seriousness.
“Fielders should be nowhere near the batter at that stage. The fielders all know where the batters hang out. It looked to me like Konstas looked up late; he wouldn’t have known anyone was in front of him.”
With match judge Andy Pycroft looming, Ponting’s ominous statement held weig
The International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct leaves little room for interpretation: “Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket… players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire.”
Simon Taufel, a five-time umpire of the year, didn’t mince words as he analysed the event.
“It shows Virat Kohli actually changing his line to get into the personal space of Sam Konstas,” Taufel assessed.
“There’s a clause that talks about improper physical touch. That’s what the judges and the referee will be looking at today. My suggestion? They’ll take this seriously and likely act on it.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was scathing in his assessment, asking why Kohli, a seasoned warrior, would stoop to such behaviour.
“Why would a top pro, who’s played for so long – he’s a King – be frightened by a 19-year-old? Sam Konstas did absolutely nothing wrong. Virat veered towards him. You can’t do that. You’re just not allowed to do that.”
“Kohli has built his whole career on swagger. Suddenly, he identified that same confidence in a debutant, and he seemed to dislike it. I think he’s in trouble.”
Australian women’s captain Alyssa Healy offered a more measured critique, but her sadness was obvious.
“It’s probably more disappointing than anything else,” she said.
“An experienced player, one of your best, making a run for the youngest player on the opposition? It doesn’t set the best tone for your side. But if that’s how India wants to approach it, so be it. It didn’t rattle him one bit.”
Former Victoria cricket captain Darren Berry’s post on X encapsulated the disappointment of a young fanbase: “If the ICC don’t give Virat a break with his family in Sydney, then we might as well pack up our bat and ball and go home. Changed his line and showed the world the kid has rattled him & his team. Such a shame, as the kid absolutely idolises Kohli. Never meet your hero.”