'Told Virat I idolise him, he said...': Sam Konstas reveals chat with 'legend' Kohli after shoulder bump-incident at MCG

Australia batter Sam Konstas quickly became a fan favorite during the Test matches in Melbourne and Sydney against India over the past two weeks, but he wasn't exactly embraced by the Indian camp. The drama started with an incident involving Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day match. However, after the game, he sought out his idol and was taken aback by Kohli's response.

In the MCG Test, Konstas made a remarkable debut, shaking up the Indian team in the opening session. Facing off against the formidable Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world's top pacers who had been crucial for India in the series, the young player showed incredible bravery and skill, scoring 34 runs off 60 balls against Bumrah, including two ramp shots for boundaries. The 19-year-old even encouraged the Melbourne crowd with his performance.

To add to the tension, Konstas found himself in a verbal spat with Kohli after the former Indian captain intentionally bumped shoulders with him while he was heading to the other end of the crease at the end of the 10th over.

Sam Konstas on Virat Kohli

"I had a little chat after game, telling him I idolise him & it’s obviously a huge honour playing against him. He's very down to earth, a lovely person & wished me all the best, said hopefully I go well on tour of Sri Lanka."pic.twitter.com/2J6eiRi3uF

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) January 8, 2025

In a comprehensive interview with CODE Sports, the 19-year-old shared that after the match in Melbourne, he had a conversation with Kohli, expressing to the 36-year-old that he looks up to him as an idol.

"I had a little chat after the game telling him that I idolise him, and it is obviously a huge honour playing against him," Konstas said.

"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.

Konstas shared that Virat is a "down to earth" individual and wished him good luck.

"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 am in," he said.

"My whole family loves Virat. I have idolised him from a young age and he is a legend of the game," he concluded.

Kohli received significant backlash for his shoulder bump with Konstas during the match and was fined 20 percent of his match fees. Australia ultimately triumphed in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, winning 3-1 and securing the title after a decade.

Also read| Virat Kohli hits 12-year low, slips behind Babar Azam in latest ICC Test rankings after Border-Gavaskar Trophy