Virat Kohli apologizes to Sam Konstas? Michael Clarke claims that the matter between the duo has been resolved

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

Australia were elected to bat first after winning the toss at the MCG. Konstas himself impressed on debut, scoring 60 runs off 65 balls with attacking strikes. Kohli changed the track to Konstas with a barge in the first innings in Australia. The ICC fined Virat Kohli 20% of his match fee and awarded him one demerit point.

A tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – Michael Clarke on Virat Kohli

Speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast, Michael Clarke said Kohli’s frustration with the young Australian opener was a result of his lack of respect for Jasprit Bumrah.

“Virat, such a senior player. A tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – he won’t take a step back, never in his entire career,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

“When I think about my time on the field, as an older player when you see a young player, I think Virat was frustrated by the lack of respect that Sam showed the best bowler in the world in Bumrah. I think that’s what frustrated Virat,” he added.

Virat Kohli would talk to Sam Konstas after the match – Michael Clarke

Former Australian players and local media criticized Virat Kohli after the incident and even labeled him a “clown”. Clarke expressed his belief that Kohli would resolve the issue with Konstas, stating that Kohli is not a malicious person and would likely speak to the youngster after the match.

“I also know Virat, he would talk to Sam after the game. Virat is a great guy. So those two would solve it. I don’t know (if) Virat would say sorry, whatever it is. Virat is not a nasty person. So it would be fixed 100%,” Clarke said.

“I think Virat stood up for his team and I know you can’t collide side by side and he got punished for that. It was more, I guess Virat was frustrated ‘how dare you disrespect the best bowler in the world like that and think you can get away with it. His mind thought he was standing up for his team,” he added.

Virat Kohli received a lukewarm reception from the crowd in Melbourne

After the clash with Konstas, Kohli faced a lukewarm reception from the Melbourne crowd for the rest of the game. He scored just 41 runs in both innings in India’s 184-run defeat. The right-handed batsman averages under 28 after four matches.

His form was questionable before the series, after a poor home series against New Zealand. India’s hopes now rest on Kohli’s return to form as they look to win the fifth and final Test in Sydney, starting on January 3, to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

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