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

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke made a big statement about Virat Kohli-Constas himself incident during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne. Michael Clarke defended Virat Kohli’s shoulder boat, 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 attacking shots. Kohli changed his tracks to shoulder Konstas in Australia’s first innings. The ICC fined Virat Kohli 20% of his match fee and issued him a demerit point.

Tough and 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 opener was due to a lack of respect towards jasprit bumrah.

“Virat, such a great player. A tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – he won’t back down, 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 coming in, I think Virat was getting frustrated with the lack of respect that Sam was showing to the best bowler in the world in Bumrah. I think that’s the which frustrated Virat”, he added.

Virat Kohli reportedly spoke to Sam Konstas after the match – 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 sorted out the issue with Konstas, stating that Kohli is not a malicious person and would likely have spoken to the youngster after the match.

“I also know Virat, I would have spoken to Sam after the match. Virat is a great guy. So these two would have worked it out. I don’t know (if) Virat would have said sorry, whatever it was. Virat is not a nasty person. So it would be 100% fixed,” Clarke said.

“I think it was Virat defending his team and I know you can’t clash shoulder to shoulder, and he’s been fined for that. It was more, I think Virat was frustrated that “how dare you disrespect the best bowler in the world like that and think you can get away with it”. So his mind was thinking he was rooting for his team,” he added.

Virat Kohli faced a warm reception from the Melbourne crowd

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

His form had been in question before the seriesafter a low home series against New Zealand. India will now hope Kohli regains form as they look to win the fifth and final Test in Sydney, starting January 3, to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

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