Almost a year has passed since the shoulder-barge incident that occurred during the 2024 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between Virat Kohli and Australia’s opener Sam Konstas. Oliver Peake, Konstas’s close friend and Australia’s 12th man that day, has now revealed what was spoken between the two during the heated argument, which had generated a lot of discussion.
The incident happened during what ended up being India’s final Test series with Kohli. Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old from Australia, astonished India with his first innings. His self-assurance and audacious shot choice disrupted the Indian attack and ultimately resulted in the altercation with Kohli.
The Indian bowlers were shaken as Konstas raced to a fifty after reverse-sweeping Jasprit Bumrah. But at a change of ends, Kohli attempted to agitate the teenager by charging at his shoulder. Words were exchanged because of the barge, and Usman Khawaja and the umpire had to step in to maintain order. Later, Konstas dismissed the incident. Peake did, however, disclose the precise words Konstas used in response to Kohli.
“I recall that he and Uzie were having a great time outside when I ran gloves over him. The manner he was approaching it surprised Uzie a little. He simply exuded confidence and a sense of ease that he was doing well in public. Both as a fan and as a friend, it was fantastic to witness. “I know you’re a good player, but have some respect,” Sam said to Kohli when he shoulder-charged him, according to Peake on The Grade Cricketer Podcast.
In the end, the ICC penalised Kohli 20% of his match pay.
The ICC ultimately fined Kohli 20% of his match fee for violent contact, making the altercation a major discussion topic throughout the series. Given the circumstances of the occurrence, many opponents believed the punishment was excessively light.
Throughout the series, Konstas was involved in other dramas. He got into a verbal altercation with Jasprit Bumrah during the subsequent Test at the SCG. Bumrah was irritated by Konstas’s remarks prior to the day’s last ball and responded by bowling Usman Khawaja with the very next delivery.
At the MCG, Konstas had a strong first innings of 60 off 65 balls, but he was unable to sustain his momentum. He was finally dropped out of Australia’s selection for the first Ashes Test of 2025–2026 after a run of poor performances against India and then the West Indies.
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