“What happened with Kohli there – Kohli was bang out of order. Virat Kohli should have been banned for what he did. You know how much I love Virat Kohli and what he has done for the game, but there’s a line, and you do not cross it,” Harmison told the talkSPORT Cricket podcast.

Following the incident, the International Cricket Council (ICC) fined Kohli 20 per cent of his match fee. This was done so because Kohli had made physical contact with Konstas and his actions breached ICC’s Code of Conduct.

Harmison also advised Konstas to improve his defensive technique rather than trying to emulate former Australia opener David Warner and his attacking playstyle.

“Sam has got the scoops, he’s got the big shots. But does he have the defensive technique for Test match cricket against the world’s best? That’s something he needs to figure out. If he gets it right, he has a great chance because he can be aggressive and has a good mindset for attacking the ball. But I just think he wants to be David Warner, and technically, he’s nowhere near as good as Warner,” Harmison said.

“If he’s opening the batting against England, I’d be happy. I really would. But he’s only 19, and he’s going to improve. However, if he continues to be aggressive verbally, he’ll face consequences. India is one thing, but the Ashes – with all the pressure it brings – is another level entirely. I’ve no issue with him having a go at India; he tried to rile them up because they were wasting time, and India got Khawaja out and won. But the Ashes will be a different challenge,” Harmison said.

The post ‘Should have been banned…’: Ex-England star’s BLUNT verdict on the Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas spat appeared first on Cricket Country.

The actions of Kohli, especially bumping teenager debutant Sam Konstas, enraged some former Australian players. Aaron Flinch is one such former player, an ex-Australian captain, who shared his thoughts on ESPN’s Around The Wicket broadcast after the series came to an end.

“It was just a level of frustration. I said last week it seemed as though he wanted to find conflict and confrontation – that’s where he generally plays his best cricket. So he just went overboard on this tour. The bump, that was above and beyond anything I’ve seen on a field, and then the sandpaper, unnecessary. But overall, I think he was trying to find something to ignite a fire in himself, but just wasn’t up to it,” said Finch.

A lot of people have came to Kohli’s defence as they have pointed out that Australian players engage in all sorts of conducts without consequences, but they have made a big deal out of it when Kohli was involved.

The post ‘Just went Overboard…’: Australian legend slams Virat Kohli for his behaviour in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 appeared first on Cricket Country.

“I had a little chat after the game telling him that I idolise him, and it’s obviously a huge honour playing against him,” Konstas said in a conversation with CODE Sports.

“When I did verse him, I was like, ‘wow, Virat Kohli is batting.’ He just had that presence about him, all the Indian crowd getting amongst it. Chanting his name. It was quite surreal,” he added

“He was very down to earth. A lovely person and just wishing me all the best saying hopefully I go well on the tour of Sri Lanka he said if I’m in,” he further added.

“My whole family loves Virat. I’ve idolised him from a young age and he’s a legend of the game,” he concluded.

The 19-year-old made his debut in Test cricket in Melbourne, and further went on and scored a half-century. and is one of the batters whom Cricket Australia has given the allowance to play in a few Big Bash league (BBL) games before heading to UAE for a predatory camp.

The post ‘Had a little chat after the game…’: Sam Konstas opens up on his conversation with Virat Kohli after Border-Gavaskar Trophy appeared first on Cricket Country.

Konstas was at the non-striker’s end when this happened when he got involved with Jasprit Bumrah as he was frustrated with Usman Khawaja’s tactics to waste time during the final over. He said something to Bumrah which broke the cool of Bumrah and the players got involved in a verbal altercation.

Greg Shipperd feels that the Indian team should have been given a punishment for this unnecessary aggression towards Konstas in the Sydney Test.

“I don’t know if he thrives on it. I think it surprised him. I think it was a disgraceful act and should have been punished far more severely than it was. He or the circumstance got under the skin of Jasprit and the team response was super aggressive towards him,” Shipperd said while speaking to Fox Sports.

This incident did not have any effect on Konstas, as he came out with his aggressive approach on Day 2 and scored 23 runs in the first innings. However this was not the only incident that the youngster was involved in.

Konstas was also involved in controversy on Boxing Day in Melbourne when he bumped with star batter Virat Kohli, leading to an exchange of words. However, Kohli was given a demerit point and a fine.

The post ‘Should have been punished…’: Australian coach slams Indian team over Sam Konstas controversy appeared first on Cricket Country.

The teenage batter also bumped into star India cricketer Virat Kohli during the first day of MCG Test and it resulted in a heated altercation between the duo. Following the incident, the crowd would get behind Konstas and he would get loud cheers when he came out to bat in Australia’s second innings as well.

However, Konstas crossed the line when he provoked and got into an altercation with India skipper Jasprit Bumrah during the Sydney Test. Konstas’ actions left Bumrah furious and it also led to the teenager getting criticized from many former cricketers.

Following Australia’s victory in the Sydney Test which also saw them win the Border-Gavaskar series by 3-1, Konstas opened up on the incident with Bumrah and admitted that it was his fault.

“Oh, I didn’t get too fazed. Unfortunately, Uzi got out. He was trying to buy some time a little bit. It was probably my fault, but it happens. It’s cricket. Credit to Bumrah. He got the wicket, but obviously great performance from the team,” Konstas told Triple M.

Konstas also revealed why the Sydney Test was quite special as well as emotional for him. The 19-year-old recalled how his cousin succumed to leukaemia and his grandfather passed away after battling with bowel cancer.

“Obviously it’s a special event, the McGrath Foundation, and hopefully we spread more awareness for cancer, get the funds in, because I remember my cousin passed away with leukemia and my grandpa with bowel cancer. So obviously we hope we spread awareness and get the cure,” Konstas said.

The post ‘It was my fault’: Sam Konstas opens up on heated altercation with Jasprit Bumrah in Sydney Test appeared first on Cricket Country.

What happened between Bumrah and Konstas:
Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas were involved in a somewhat aggressive exchange during the final moments of Day 1. Bumrah took his position and was about to bowl to Usman Khawaja. Sam Konstas was at the striker’s end, and made a remark that did not sit well with Indian premium pacer. Bumrah reacted by taking two steps towards the Australian youngster.

The umpire had to step in on this altercation to keep the parties apart, but this incident clearly irritated Jasprit Bumrah. On the final ball of the Day, Bumrah got back as he took the wicket of Australian opener Usman Khawaja, followed by having a great celebration.

“I feel they had a little chitchat; they wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason Konstas had a conversation with Jasprit Bumrah. He said something; I didn’t hear it. But I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do—waste some time so we don’t get to bowl one more over,” Rishabh Pant told reporters.

Coming to the match, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and decided to bat first. The visitors managed to score 185 runs before Australian bowlers wrapped up their innings. Rishabh Pant was the highest run-scorer for India as he scored 40 runs.

The post ‘Wanted to waste some time…’: Rishabh Pant makes MASSIVE revelation on Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas verbal spat appeared first on Cricket Country.

Rishabh Pant has stated that Rohit Sharma deciding to opt out of the match was really an emotional decision, and was a decision where not everyone can be involved.

“It was an emotional decision. We see him as leader…there are some decision you are not involved. I cannot explain more than that,” said Rishabh Pant in the post-day press conference.

The Indian team is being led by Jasprit Bumrah for the Sydney test, but did not get a good start as they got all out for just 185. Rishabh Pant was the highest run-scorer as he scored 40 runs, along with Bumrah making a crucial contribution at the end as he scored 22 runs.

Australia got to bat three overs and they started off with Sam Konstas hitting a boundary off Jasprit Bumrah on the first ball. However, he got the crucial wicket of Usman Khawaja right before the stumps got called on Day 1.

The post ‘We see him as…’: Rishabh Pant’s views on Rohit Sharma deciding to Opt out of the Sydney Test appeared first on Cricket Country.

Jasprit Bumrah silences Sam Konstas’s bratty behaviour:
The incident happened during the over before the stumps got called on Day 1. Right before the ball, Usman Khawaja was not ready and stopped Bumrah who was about to start his run-up. Bumrah was not happy with that and was expressing his thoughts.

Right as Bumrah was speaking his mind out, Konstas stepped in out of nowhere and got involved in the matter by saying something to the pace bowler. Both the players were seen approaching each other as the Indian captain was really fired up. Umpire had to step in and keep both the parties separated.

THIS IS TEST CRICKET. 🫡

THIS IS BGT. 🍿

THIS IS CAPTAIN JASPRIT JASBIR SINGH BUMRAH. 🥶pic.twitter.com/eUJXyb1NSO

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 3, 2025

Bumrah being a person who keeps his cool, gave his opponents fierce reply as he dismissed Usman Khawaja after one ball. When the wicket got secured, the Indian pacer turned towards Konstas and gave him a strong stare. Everyone was rushing in to celebrate that wicket. Even Virat Kohli was spotted running towards Konstas, but he kept a safe distance this time.

The post WATCH: After Virat Kohli, Sam Konstas gets in a Heated moment with Jasprit Bumrah; Gets silenced 2 balls later appeared first on Cricket Country.

Indian star Mohammed Siraj did not miss the chance to give a reply to the MCG crowd when the chance came to be. When other Australian batters failed on the pitch, Marnus Labuschagne smashed an important fifty in their second innings, as he led the team to a massive lead before getting struck by Siraj himself.

Siraj caught Labuschagne LBW and finished his outing at 70 runs. After Siraj had an animated celebration, he turned towards the MCG crowd and had a roaring celebration. He had earlier taken the key wicket of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith as well.

𝙎𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙟 𝙩𝙤 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙪𝙨: 𝘽𝙮𝙚, 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙚! 🤪

Siraj catches Labuschagne off guard! Third wicket for DSP Sahab 🫡#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 4 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/i3eMomntZl

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 29, 2024

Earlier in the match, Bumrah had also given an animated send-off to debutant Sam Konstas. After clean-bowling him early in the game, Bumrah had gestured to irritate the crowd. This was something Sam was also spotted during India’s batting. Bumrah hit two birds with same stone as he gave a well-deserved reply to Konstas and also shut up the boos of Melbourne crowd.

The post WATCH: Mohammed Siraj Roars to MCG Crowd as response to their boos after dismissing Marnus Labuschagne appeared first on Cricket Country.

While Konstas didn’t have to wait for long before opening his account, it was Bumrah who emerged triumphant in the individual battle and dismissed the 19-year-old with an absolute ripper of a delivery.

Konstas was clean-bowled by a brilliant in-swinger which breached his defense and hit the middle stump. After taking the wicket, Bumrah seemingly mocked the young batter by copying his crowd-engaging act which he was doing repeatedly over the first three days of the game. 

Earlier during the day, India had gotten bundled out for 369 in their first innings, leaving Australia with a lead of 105 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy was the star of the show for the Men in Blue with his sensational knock of 114.

For Australia, the trio of Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon all took 3 wickets each to restrict the visitors to a lower total than their first inning score of 474.

The post WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah stuns Sam Konstas, shatters the Australia batter’s stumps with a ripper appeared first on Cricket Country.