Did Virat Kohli say sorry to Sam Konstas? Michael Clarke claims that the matter between the duo has been settled

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke made a big statement about Virat Kohli-Konstas himself incident during the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Melbourne. Michael Clarke has defended Virat Kohli’s shoulder, describing him as a tough and aggressive player who never backs down on the field.

Australia elected to bat first after winning the toss at the MCG. Sam Konstas impressed on debut, scoring 60 runs off 65 balls with aggressive shots. Kohli changed his tracks to shoulder-barge Konstas in Australia’s first innings. The ICC fined Virat Kohli 20% of his match fee and gave him a demerit point.

Tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – Michael Clarke to Virat Kohli

Speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast, Michael Clarke said Kohli’s frustration with the young Australian champion was down to a lack of respect for jasprit bumrah.

“Virat, such a high class player. Tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – he won’t take a step back, never has in his entire career,” Clarke told the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

“When I think about my time on the field, being a senior player when you see a youngster come in, I think Virat was frustrated with the lack of respect that Sam was showing the best bowler in the world in Bumrah. I think that’s what disappointed Virat,” he added.

Virat Kohli would speak to Sam Konstas after the game – Michael Clarke

Former Australian players and local media criticized Virat Kohli after the incident and even called him a “clown”. Clarke expressed confidence that Kohli would have resolved the matter with Konsta, stating that Kohli is not a malicious person and would probably have spoken to the youngster after the game.

“I know Virat too, he would have spoken to Sam after the game. Virat is a great guy. So these two would have sorted it out. I don’t know (if) Virat would say sorry, whatever. Virat is not a bad person. So that will be 100% fixed,” Clarke said.

“I think it was Virat supporting his team and I know you can’t be shoulder to shoulder, and he was fined for that. It was more, I believe Virat was disappointed that “how dare you disrespect the best bowler in the world like that and think you can get away with it. So his mind thought he was rooting for his team,” he added.

Virat Kohli faced a lukewarm reception from the Melbourne crowd

After his confrontation with Konsta, Kohli faced a lukewarm reception from the Melbourne crowd for the rest of the match. He scored just 41 runs in both innings in India’s 184-run defeat. The right-handed batter is averaging under 28 after four games.

Its form had been disputed before seriesafter an underwhelming home series with New Zealand. India’s hopes now rest on Kohli regaining his form as they look to win the fifth and final Test in Sydney, starting on January 3, to keep the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series alive.

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