Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri didn’t hold back over Virat Kohli’s on-field altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas on day one of the boxing day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. During the first session of the day, Kohli collided shoulder to shoulder with the 19-year-old debutant Konstas after which both the players shared an exchange of words. After this incident, Kohli was also fined 20% of his match fees and was awarded one demeric point.
Reacting to the altercation, Ravi Shastri said that it was unnecessary from Virat Kohli being a senior player of the team. “That was unnecessary. Totally unnecessary. You don’t want to see that. Virat’s a senior player, he’s been captain of the Indian cricket team. He will have his own explanations with regards to that incident. But it’s something you don’t want to see. One person who will be watching — his eyes will be locked into the proceedings — will be Andy Pycroft,” Shastri was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Australia finish day 1 at 311/6, Steve Smith nearing ton
Talking about the match, Australia decided to bat first after winning the toss, and ended up putting 311/6 by the end of day one of the boxing day Test in Melbourne. The hosts got a great start as Usman Khawaja and debutant Sam Konstas put up an opening partnership of 89 runs. Konstas got out after scoring 60(65), while Khawaja scored 57(121) runs. After that, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith added 83 runs for the third wicket.
Marnus Labuschagne got out after scoring 72(145) runs, while Smith, who scored a century in the previous game, remained unbeaten on 68*(111) at stumps on day one. Currently, Smith is batting with skipper Pat Cummins as the duo will continue the innings on day two. For India, Jasprit Bumrah took two scalps, while Akash Deep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar scalped a wicket each.
