India’s star batter Virat Kohli was at the center of multiple heated moments on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 27.
Altercation with Fans
The incident occurred as Kohli was walking back to the pavilion after being dismissed by Scott Boland. A section of MCG fans booed the batter, prompting him to turn around and stare at the jeering crowd. Kohli appeared visibly agitated and walked back toward the tunnel entrance to confront them. However, a member of the MCG security intervened promptly, calming Kohli and escorting him through the tunnel before the situation escalated.
On-Field Clash with Konstas
Earlier in the match, Kohli was involved in a fiery exchange with Australia’s young batter Konstas during the first hour of play. After Jasprit Bumrah was hit for multiple sixes by Konstas, Kohli seemingly tried to unsettle the batter with some on-field banter.
As the two players crossed paths between overs, a deliberate shoulder bump occurred when neither gave way. Kohli stopped to challenge the young batter, while Konstas stood his ground, leading to a verbal exchange. Australia’s Usman Khawaja stepped in to diffuse the tension, putting an arm around Kohli and smiling to ease the situation. Match officials also intervened to prevent further escalation.
Commenting on the incident, Ricky Ponting noted during the broadcast, "Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. There’s no doubt about it."
Kohli’s Eventful Final Half-Hour
Kohli, who batted solidly alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the final session of Day 2, endured a disappointing end to the day. The pair had put together a century partnership, but a miscommunication between the two resulted in a run-out for Jaiswal.
Just seven balls later, Kohli edged a delivery from Scott Boland to the keeper, bringing his innings to an abrupt end. As he walked off, the confrontation with fans in the tunnel added to his dramatic exit.
Despite Kohli’s fiery demeanor, these moments highlighted the high stakes and tensions of the match as both teams battled hard in the iconic Boxing Day Test.