IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli bullies Sam Konstas, debutant comes out smoking in Boxing Day Test!

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Trust Virat Kohli to be in the news. On Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in the BGT Seriesl on Thursday, the rustic former India captain had a 'shoulder bump' early on with teen sensation Sam Konstas.

The panning TV cameras caught it and, immediately, the verdict was out. Ricky Ponting, commentating on Channel 7 was quick off the blocks and said Kohli was at fault. One has to watch the video clip, now viral on social media, where Kohli is seen walking towards Konstas, bumps him and is seen trying to intimidate the Aussie in the first session. What were the words exchanged is not clear, but by the end of the day or later, the ICC match referee is sure to review the video clip.

It is clear from the clip replays, the 'shoulder bump' was not accidental and this may have been one more attempt from Kohli to needle a youngster making his Test debut. As it is, young Konstas had stirred a debate when he took a 'selfie' in the field of play with a cell phone. Whether that is allowed or not, will also be probed. There are so many restrictions for players with an anti-corruption code in play. However, Sam Konstas did not worry one bit about all this as he showed no signs of nerves.

It was a pleasing sight to watch a 19-year-old making his Test debut face the Indians fearlessly. What he may have said to Virat Kohli has been dissected by social media. Strangely, exact words are not known. The consensus is, if Kohli was trying to needle him or ruffle him, it did not work.

To the contrary, the way Konstas batted, he was in good head space and ready to take on the Indian fast bowling. To be on turbo-charge mode against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohd Siraj was a sign he is fearless and the Aussies have succeeded, early on, by bringing in someone who plays free shots. Both Bumrah and Siraj tried to rattle him with short-pitched stuff early on but the kid ramped it up. There were traces of Rishabh Pant in him, as he produced unconventional shots, fetching boundaries. For the record, Konstas scored 60, smashed two sixes and hot four boundaries. This type of scoring as opener has made him a hero and he spoke to the media just after the innings. Mature, cool and ready to take the bull by its horns.

Sadly, the way Virat Kohli has come in for flak, it has not set the right tone and tenor for the Boxing Day Test. If the attempt was to instigate a debutant, Kohli failed miserably. Instead, a young man who had been needled, essayed shots which revealed he is a tough kid. Surely, that's what Pat Cummins had also said to the opener a day ahead: Play free.

It turned out exactly that way, even as King Kohli has now been hauled over coals on Channnel 7 by Ricky Ponting, who himself was an 'ugly' cricketer. There were more taunts and barbs as well for Kohli even before. If this was needed to light up a Test match in the Melbourne heat, Kohli will come in for further scrutiny from the Aussies. They love picking on him and it began since the time he landed at the Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne last well.