'Absolutely pathetic': Inexcusable mid-pitch act stuns as ban looms ...

A possible suspension looms for Indian veteran Virat Kohli, after he made forceful contact with Australian debutant Sam Konstas in the opening session of the Boxing Day Test.

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Ten overs into the annual MCG blockbuster, Konstas had already well and truly made his mark on the international stage after reverse ramping superstar Jasprit Bumrah to — and over — the boundary.

But after laughing at the New South Welshman only overs beforehand for his flare stroke play, Kohli’s tone and demeanour changed so very quickly once the Aussies held the upper hand.

After tapping quick Mohammed Siraj for a single to end the tenth over, Konstas turned to the middle of the pitch to chat with opening partner Usman Khawaja.

But totally unbeknown to Konstas, Kohli was making a beeline for him, unwilling to change his path.

The two ocollided, leading to a confrontation in the middle in front of a crowd of just under 90,000 people

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“Kohli shifted ground to make contact,” former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket’s commentary.

Expert Harsha Bhogle continued:

“To be honest, I don’t know what that achieves … they’ve resolved that quickly enough, but I don’t think it was necessary.”

Australian women’s captain Alyssa Healy said that Kohli’s actions weren’t in the best interests of his side.

“(It’s) probably more disappointing than anything else that an experienced player, one of your best players in the country, is quite visibly looking at the wider picture and made a beeline for the youngest player on the opposition,” Healy explained.

“It doesn’t really set the greatest tone for your side, but if that’s one way the Indian team wants to approach it, so be it.

“It didn’t rattle him one bit.”

Fox Cricket’s Michael Vaughan said the blame lay squarely with the veteran.

“He’s completely acted wrong,” he said on the Big Break

“I don’t know why a senior pro who’s played for so long – he’s a King – why’s he’s been rattled by a 19-year-old. Sam Konstas did absolutely nothing wrong there. Virat veered towards him.

“You can’t do that, you’re just not allowed to do that.”

Fellow commentator Kerry O’Keeffe agreed.

“Kohli has built his whole career on arrogance. Suddenly he identified that in a debutant, and he seemed to resent it. “I think he’s in trouble.”

SEN’s Tom Morris, meanwhile, reported the 36-year-old looks likely to serve a suspension given the ICC’s strict guidelines when it comes to intentional body contact with an opposition player.

The ICC’s Code of Conduct states: “Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire”.

“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation,” former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on Seven. “No doubt in my mind whatsoever.

“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.

“It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer.”

If match referee Andy Pycroft deems that Kohli’s actions were worthy of a Level 2 offence, he would receive three or four demerit points.

Four points would be enough for a suspension, putting Kohli at risk of missing the New Year’s Test in Sydney.

“We don’t want to see any physical contact during the game. It tends to get out-of-control,” former ICC umpire Simon Taufel said on Seven.

“A lot of adrenaline flowing. Sam Konstas holding his ground. Virat Kohli did the same thing. It’s something out of nothing. We don’t want to see it continue.

“It’s something they’ll have a look at during maybe a lunch break or even at the end of the day’s play.

“I tend to think they’ll let that one go. That’s my view at this stage. Let the players say what they want to say. Get a few things off their chest. At times if it goes further, they’ll probably let that one slide.”

Kohli has not received an ICC sanction since 2019.

Konstas’ rapid road to a maiden half-century on debut — from just 52 balls — was the third-fastest in Australian Test history, behind only Adam Gilchrist and Ashton Agar.

“Whatever (happens) on the field stays on the field, but I love competing — and it doesn’t get any better for a debut at this packed stadium,” Konstas told Fox Cricket during a first session drinks break.

Konstas was dismissed half an hour before lunch on Day 1, departing LBW for an epic 60 of 65 balls that included six fours and two sixes.