‘I don’t want to remember Virat Kohli as…’: Sunil Gavaskar criticizes India star after clash with Sam Konstas

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday criticized Virat Kohli for his heated argument with young Australian debutant Sam Konstas, saying there was “no need” for the incident and the Indian star did not want his legacy to be tarnished by such an episode. Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and given a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct after he and Konstas clashed in the 10th over of Australia’s innings on the opening day of the fourth Test here.

“I’m not sure what the reason was, but it really wasn’t necessary. We don’t need this in any level of cricket, especially not at the highest level. “You can play very, very competitive cricket without getting physical,” Gavaskar told India Today.

“I think we all want to remember Kohli as one of the greatest cricketers of all time and not as someone who was fined or reprimanded by the ICC. We don’t want to hear that.”

“Maybe he’ll learn from this and not want to do it again.”

The incident came after 19-year-old Konstas left India in a state of shock with his sensational strokeplay in which he defeated Jasprit Bumrah en route to a 65-ball 60.

In the tenth over, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while crossing, quickly turned around, looked at each other and had a heated exchange.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja immediately stepped in to separate them by putting his arm around Kohli. The referees on the field also talked to the two as the situation cooled down quite quickly.

Known for his passionate nature on the field, Kohli has courted controversy in the past, often for driving the opposition the wrong way. He was sanctioned by the ICC in 2019 for another shoulder clash with South African Beuran Hendricks.

“I think competitiveness is absolutely built into him. We always saw him celebrating every wicket taken, every catch, every good fielding by his teammates. We understand that and that’s great, there’s nothing wrong with that, but I think getting physical, I think that shouldn’t be done,” Gavaskar continued.

“I don’t know, I mean when you play for India, if that’s not enough incentive then I don’t know what incentive you need. Playing for India is such a privilege in itself that we could play, you know?” “Being the number 69 team in the world or the number one team in the world, that should be enough motivation.”

Australia reached 311 for six on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test.

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