Ravi Shastri Expresses Discontent Over Virat Kohli's Clash with Sam Konstas

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has voiced his disappointment with Virat Kohli following an on-field altercation with Australia's young opener Sam Konstas during the first day of the fourth Test in Melbourne. In the ninth over of the match, Kohli and Konstas collided, leading to Kohli giving the 19-year-old a stern look and exchanging heated words.

Despite former Australian captain Ricky Ponting's assertion that Kohli was at fault, he avoided a suspension but was fined 20% of his match fees by the International Cricket Council (ICC), as reported by NDTV. Shastri, who has had a close rapport with Kohli during his coaching tenure, shared his thoughts on the incident during a segment on Fox Cricket.

"That's unnecessary. Totally unnecessary. You don’t want to see that. Virat is a senior player, and he's been captain of the side. He will have his reasons, but it's something we shouldn't witness," Shastri commented.

He also lightheartedly mentioned Andy Pycroft, the ICC match referee for this Boxing Day Test, coincidentally marking his 100th Test in that role, saying, "One person who will be all over it, though, is Andy Pycroft."

Ultimately, Kohli faced only a minor punishment for what the ICC classified as a Level 1 offense. The fine was similar to the one imposed on Mohammed Siraj following his aggressive send-off to Travis Head in the second Test in Adelaide.

The confrontation was not the only instance of Kohli displaying intensity during the match, as he was later heard on the stump mic telling Siraj not to smile while interacting with the Australian players.

At the conclusion of Day 1, Australia held the advantage, reaching 311/6, with all four top-order batsmen contributing half-centuries.