In an exclusive interview with CODE Sports, Australia’s rising cricket star Sam Konstas opened up about a memorable conversation he had with Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli following a shoulder-bump incident during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Konstas, who made a remarkable debut in the MCG Test, faced off against one of the world’s best pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, and earned attention for his fearless approach to batting. The 19-year-old’s audacious 34 runs off 60 balls, including two ramp shots, helped rattle the Indian team. However, the highlight of his debut was a heated exchange with Kohli after the former Indian captain deliberately bumped into Konstas while the Aussie batter was heading to the other end of the crease.
Despite the fiery moment, Konstas shared that he sought out Kohli after the game and expressed his admiration for the star cricketer. “I told him that I idolise him, and it is obviously a huge honour playing against him,” Konstas revealed. He added that the experience of facing Kohli, who commanded the crowd’s energy with his presence, was surreal.
Konstas, who had always looked up to Kohli, was pleasantly surprised by the Indian icon’s down-to-earth nature. “He was very down to earth. A lovely person, and just wishing me all the best,” Konstas said. Kohli also wished him well for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, which starts later this month, saying, “Hopefully, I go well on the tour of Sri Lanka if I am in.”
Konstas concluded with heartfelt appreciation for Kohli, noting, “My whole family loves Virat. I have idolised him from a young age, and he is a legend of the game.”
