From 'GOAT' to 'Clown Kohli': Aussie media goes all out against Virat Kohli after 'bumping into' Sam Konstas

Virat Kohli, one of cricket's biggest icons, has found himself at the center of controversy during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Australian media, known for its blunt commentary, has been relentless in its criticism, with The West Australian labeling him a "clown" on its back page following a heated confrontation with debutant Sam Konstas. The viral headline has sparked intense debate among fans and experts alike.

The incident occurred when the 19-year-old Konstas, making his debut for Australia, worth calling it 'pure cinema', displayed immense confidence against a full-strength Indian side. The young opener, already a rising star after his exploits in the ICC U19 World Cup and first-class cricket, stood tall against India's pace attack, including Jasprit Bumrah.

Kohli, attempting to rattle the debutant, resorted to his trademark aggression, bumping into Konstas and making shoulder-to-shoulder contact.



However, the tactic backfired spectacularly. Konstas responded with flair, smashing Bumrah for multiple boundaries, including a reverse ramp, and scoring 34 of his total 60 runs off the Indian pacer. The ICC fined Kohli 20 per cent of his match fee and handed him a demerit point for the "unnecessary" contact.

The reaction from the cricketing world was swift. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, speaking on 7 Cricket, argued that the punishment was too lenient. "Personally, I do not think it [the punishment] was harsh enough," Ponting said. "It is probably the most-watched day of cricket all year all around the world. Imagine if that happens in a grade game on the weekend now... He is a role model, so I personally do not think that the fine was harsh enough."

Meanwhile, FOX Sports published an article titled, "‘He won’t be too proud’: Greats speak out on Kohli amid concerns of legacy in Australia," featuring commentary from cricket legends like Kerry O’Keeffe and Adam Gilchrist. The latter questioned whether fines were an adequate deterrent for wealthy players like Kohli.

Wide World of Sports (WWOS) joined the chorus, with one headline declaring, "Kohli escapes ban for ‘unnecessary’ Konstas bump." Another article quoted Steve Waugh, who stated, "He was extremely lucky to escape a ban."

In a scathing piece, SEN Cricket went so far as to suggest that the ICC should act to ensure this is Kohli’s last Test on Australian soil. The headline read, "If the ICC does its job, Boxing Day should be Virat Kohli’s last Test on Australian soil."

The Sydney Morning Herald highlighted a different angle, explaining how changes to the ICC code of conduct after Australia’s ball-tampering scandal in 2018 helped Kohli avoid suspension.

Its headline, "The secret post-sandpaper-gate change that saved Virat Kohli from suspension," delved into how physical contact was downgraded from a "level two" to a "level one" offence, leading to lighter penalties.

Kohli’s on-field struggles this series have only added to the criticism. Barring an unbeaten 100 in Perth during the first Test, the 36-year-old has managed just 26 runs in his other four innings, including three single-digit scores. Despite a stellar record at the MCG—316 runs in three Tests at an average of 52.66—fans are growing restless for the star batter to deliver.

The numbers paint a grim picture. Across formats this year, Kohli has scored just 614 runs at an average of 21.92, with a solitary century and two fifties. In Test cricket, he has managed 376 runs in nine matches at an average of 25.06. His overall record in the 2020s has also dipped significantly, with a Test average of 31.67 over 37 matches.