If there was any player who watched the entire Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas incident closely in the morning session of Day 1, it is Usman Khawaja. Khawaja was Konstas' opening partner and was batting alongside him when all the controversy happened.
Both Kohli and Konstas exchanged some verbal volleys with each other while Khawaja stepped in to calm down both the players. Even the on-field referee had to step in to make sure all was well between the players.
The players moved away from each other as Konstas continued on his merry way. After the end of the day's play, Usman Khawaja opened up about the whole incident that happened in front of him and revealed his role in the whole controversy.
Clock: Virat Kohli does a hilarious dance to celebrate Travis Head's wicket for a duck at the MCG
Usman Khawaja breaks silence on Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas altercation
After the stumps on Day 1, Usman Khawaja spoke to ABC Sport and revealed the entire incident from his point of view that happened on the field between Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli. Khawaja claims he did not watch the first court but saw both players clashing with each other when he returned.
“At this point, I didn't see what happened. For example, I was going the other way. And then I went “woah”. I kind of looked back and saw them just as I turned around, I saw them collide and I thought, what's going on here, but yeah, it wasn't,” Khawaja said.
“Sammy (Sam Konstas) was going, he was on fire. Obviously his beans were going. I just came to broadcast the situation because I like it, I like the excitement. I like it, you know, it was a little chirpy. between Sam and (Jasprit ) Bumrah and Virat (Kohli) all the time but I didn't want to be affected by any physical contact,” he added.
🏏 “Come on guys, you don't need to know EVERYTHING!” 😅
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja opens up about the 'chirp' between debutant Sam Konstas with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. 👀
📱📻 Tribune from Stumps: https://t.co/FZvwdb0wNC
📰 Read more: https://t.co/WBsH3DcD4k #AUSWIN pic.twitter.com/tHsbrwZe3k— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) December 26, 2024
Usman Khawaja reveals his conversation with Virat Kohli
Speaking further on the matter, Usman Khawaja revealed that he asked Sam Konstas to go bat and let him handle the whole situation. When asked about his conversation with Virat Kohli, Khawaja refused to answer and clarified that such things should stay on the field.
Usman Khawaja on Konstas v Virat
“I have known Virat for a long time, he came to the academy when I was 19. I have known him for a long time. We've been friends for a long time so I said (to Sam) 'calm down, relax, go, I'll talk to him and sort this out'”@abcsport #AUSWIN pic.twitter.com/ssmm3AFaMT
— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) December 26, 2024
“I have known Virat for a long time, he came to the academy when I was in the U-19s. I have known him for a long time. We've been friends for a long time so I said (to Sam) 'Go ahead, relax, go, I'll talk to him and sort it out and yeah, it was good,'” Khawaja explained.
“Something along those lines, yes. You don't even know everything. You guys know, seriously! What happens on the field stays on the field,” Khawaja replied when asked about his conversation with Kohli.
Sam Konstas shines on debut
Meanwhile, it was a stunning debut from Sam Konstas, who displayed his attacking style and played strokes around the ground. Konstas was particularly severe on India's spearhead of bowling, Jasprit Bumrah, and took it.
The youngster did not allow Bumrah to settle into the rhythm in his opening spell which set the tone for the rest of the innings. He played some unorthodox shots like scoops and reverse scoops to disrupt the pace of the bowlers and it proved to be successful as well.
Konstas scored a blistering 60 off 65 balls while opening the batting. He hit 6 fours and 2 sixes during his knock. He put on an important 89-run opening-wicket partnership with Usman Khawaja to give Australia a strong start.