Former Australian captain Michael Clarke made a big statement regarding the Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas incident during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne. Michael Clarke defended Virat Kohli’s shoulder and described 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 course to shoulder Konstas in Australia’s first innings. The ICC fined Virat Kohli 20% of the match fee and awarded him one demerit point.

Tough and 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 stemmed from a lack of respect towards Jasprit Bumrah.

“Virat, such a veteran player. Tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – he won’t take a step back, he never has in his entire career,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 cricket podcast.

“When I think about my time on the field, being a senior player and you see a youngster come in, I think Virat was getting frustrated at the lack of respect that Sam was showing to the best bowler in the world in Bumrah. I think that That’s what 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 resolved the issue with Konstas, stating that Kohli is not a malicious person and would probably have spoken to the youngster after the game.

“I also know Virat, I would have spoken to Sam after the match. Virat is a great guy. Then those two would have worked it out. I don’t know (if) Virat would have asked for forgiveness, whatever it was. Virat is not an unpleasant person. So that would be solved 100%,” Clarke said.

“I think it was Virat who defended his team and I know that you can’t collide shoulder to shoulder, and he was fined for that. It was more, I think Virat was frustrated because ‘how dare you disrespect the best bowler in the world like that and think you can get away with it?’ “So his mind thought he was defending his team,” he added.

Virat Kohli faced lukewarm reception from Melbourne crowd

Following his clash with Konstas, Kohli faced a lukewarm reception from the Melbourne crowd for the remainder of the match. He scored just 41 runs in both innings in India’s 184-run defeat. The right-handed hitter is averaging less than 28 after four games.

Their form had been in doubt before the series, following a poor home series against New Zealand. India’s hopes now rest on Kohli regaining 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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