Sam Konstas reveals the VERY surprising words he exchanged with Virat Kohli after the pair’s controversial clashes – and why he regrets his showdown with Jasprit Bumrah
- The fearless Aussie star was backed by Kohli
- Got under India’s skin with a fearless approach
Australian batting dynamo Sam Konstas has revealed the exchange he had with Indian cricket great Virat Kohli after their fiery encounter during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG – and why he regrets his confrontation with paceman Jasprit Bumrah.
19-year-old Konstas got into the tourists’ shoes after hitting an impressive half-century on debut, where the teenager showed he was in no mood to be intimidated.
Despite Kohli attacking the youngster on his shoulder, Konstas told the cricket legend that he remains his hero.
Kohli then turned on the charm and wished the opener all the best on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, if selected.
“I had a chat with him after the match and told him I idolize him, and of course it’s a huge honor to play against him,” Konstas said. News Corp.
“He just had that presence about him…[and] he was very down to earth. A nice person, who wishes me all the best. I have idolized him from a young age and he is a legend of the game.”
Sam Konstas was in the news almost immediately during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG when he suffered a shoulder charge from Virat Kohli (pictured)
Despite the heated clash, Konstas told the cricket legend that he remains his hero
Konstas has expressed regret over his confrontation with pacer Jasprit Bumrah (pictured) during the Sydney Test
Konstas didn’t get a chance to clear the air with Bumrah, who was visibly frustrated by the fearless young gun’s brashness at the MCG.
The pair then traded barbs during the Sydney Test, with referees having to come between them as tensions threatened to reach boiling point.
It followed a dramatic end to play on the first day, when Bumrah and Konstas clashed after Usman Khawaja retreated from a ball, with India’s captain accusing him of delaying play to ensure no new ones would be bowled over.
Konstas joined the saga by talking to Bumrah.
With tensions high, Khawaja was caught at second slip on the last ball of the day and India’s talisman and several teammates ran straight at Konstas to celebrate in his face.
And if Konstas had time again, he would act differently.
“I enjoy competing,” he said. ‘I [also] wants to be a humble person.
‘It’s probably a good learning experience [curve] for me. I tried to waste some time so they wouldn’t come again. But him [Bumrah] had the last laugh, taking 32 wickets in the series.
“If that happened again, I might not have said anything.”