Young Australian batter Sam Konstas, 19, recently opened up about his ‘Shoulder-bump‘ encounter with Virat Kohli. He recalls the memorable interaction with Indian cricket star Kohli at Melbourne’s iconic MCG during the Boxing Day test match. The 19-year-old revealed his admiration for Kohli and described their encounter as a surreal moment in his budding cricket career. However, he did not get a chance to speak to Jasprit Bumrah after the Sydney Test.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Kohli’s Encouragement Left a Lasting Impact on Konstas
In an interview with CODE Sports, Konstas recalled how he had the opportunity to speak with Kohli after the match. The young Australian expressed how much he idolized the former Indian captain and how special it was to play against him.
“I had a little chat after the game telling him that I idolize him, and it’s a huge honor playing against him,” Konstas shared. “He just had that presence about him, and he was very down to earth. A lovely person, just wishing me all the best. I’ve idolized him from a young age, and he’s a legend of the game” he added.
Facing Kohli became a Dream Come True
Konstas recalled the surreal feeling of sharing the field with his cricket hero, saying, “When I did verse him, I was like, ‘Wow, Virat Kohli is batting.’ The Indian crowd was so into it, chanting his name. It was quite surreal.”
Kohli’s words of encouragement left a lasting impact on the young batter. “He was very kind and wished me all the best. He even said he hoped I did well if I got selected for the Sri Lanka series. My whole family loves Virat, and he has been my idol from a young age. He’s truly a legend of the game,” Konstas added.
Kohli’s Influence Beyond Cricket
Kohli’s gesture highlights his influence as a role model and mentor for emerging talent across the globe. For Konstas, meeting and sharing the field with his idol will be a cherished memory as he continues to grow in his career.
Kohli was later fined 20 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of its Code of Conduct.
