Legendary Indian batter Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his sportsmanship in the Boxing Day Test by walking up to the former Australian captain and giving him a pat on the back after Steve Smith scored his 34th Test century on Day 2Â at the iconic MCG, following criticism for his altercation with Sam Konstas on the field.
Kohli's gesture towards Smith
After the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) crowd jeered the Indian star, Kohli made this sportsmanlike gesture. At the moment, Kohli is having a difficult time in Australia. Controversies have compounded his problems, and his batting form has declined. It is crucial that Kohli go back to his best and help his team win because this may be his final trip of Australia as an Indian cricket player.
Virat Kohli fined
When Kohli shoulder-charged Australian youngster Sam Konstas on the first day of the Test, the International Cricket Council (ICC) docked him one demerit point and fined him 20% of his match fee. Cricket is not a contact sport, as stated in Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which also forbids such physical prodding.
Australia post 474 on board
At the end of play on Day 1 of the fourth Test on Thursday, Australia was at 311 for six after India rallied with four late wickets. Sam Konstas, a teenage debutant, enthralled the Melbourne Cricket Ground with an exciting knock during the morning session earlier in the day. Tailender Pat Cummins was on eight, while Steve Smith was still undefeated at 68.
However, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins spoiled India's plan to make a comeback in the innings as both of them joined a stunning partnership. Smith reached his century, his second consecutive in the series and Cummins played a captain's knock of 49 runs before getting out. Both of them ensure that their team get past 400. However, even after Cummins' departure, Smith did not allow the run flow to come down and before lunch on Day 2 Aussies were standing at 454/7.
Even after post-lunch and getting the wicket of Steve Smith, who played an astonishing knock of 140 runs off 197 balls, Indian bowlers failed to bowl out the tail. They allowed Aussies to post on the board. At the end of Day 1, the host were 311/6 and then ended their innings at 474.
The only good news India can take from there is that the MCG pitch looks good to bat on but then again most of their batters are not in very sound form and can be seen struggling in the series so far.