Virat Kohli clashes with booing Australia fans after dismissal in India mini-collapse
12/27/2024 04:31 AM
It was another day to forget for India’s Virat Kohli against Australia (Picture: Getty)
Virat Kohli once again found himself at the centre of a heated altercation as Australia took control against India on day two of the fourth Test.
Australia took a commanding position as Steve Smith’s dogged century helped the hosts post a first-innings total of 474 at a packed-out MCG.
India’s batters ended the day on 164-5, with Australia asserting themselves as the heavy favourites to take a 2-1 lead in the series heading into the fifth and final contest.
A bad-tempered day one saw Kohli fined 20 per cent of his match fee after the Indian superstar was seen shoulder barging Australian debutant Sam Konstas – 17 years his junior.
And tempers flared again after an embarrasssing mix-up saw Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 102-run partnership broken by Australia, with the latter run out for 82.
Scott Boland subsequently dismissed Kohli for 36 and boos rung out around the 100,000-seater stadium as the veteran batter made his way off the field.
Kohli was fined after shoulder barging Konstas on day one (Picture: Getty)
Kohli at first appeared unfazed by the frosty reception but the former India captain could not contain his emotions as the abuse escalated while he made his way towards the away dressing room.
Fan footage shows the Kohli turning around and staring down a group of those responsible, before being ushered back down the tunnel.
Despite Australia’s strong position, India spinner Washington Sundar insisted the energy in the tourists’ dressing room remained ‘very good’ and ‘positive’.
Smith scored his 34th Test century to steer Australia into a commanding position (Picture: Getty)
‘We looked like we were in a great position to get big runs, especially when Yashasvi was batting,’ Sundar said at the close of play.
‘But we’ll come back and continue to fight tomorrow morning. The energy is very good in the dressing room.
‘We are all positive. There’s still three days and a lot of overs to play.’
Nathan Lyon heaped praise on ‘special player’ Steve Smith, hailing his team-mate as ‘the greatest problem’ he had ever seen following his 34th Test-match ton.
‘I have been lucky enough to have played my whole career with him and he is the greatest problem solver I have seen,’ the Australian spinner said.
‘He is always trying to get better and has the mindset to change things mid-innings.
‘He is a special player and I know when he is getting runs it is a great feeling to be in that changing room.’
