Usman Khawaja Details Why He Stepped In to Separate Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas

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Cric News India

December 26, 2024 0 858

Khawaja explained why he stepped in between Kohli and Konstas to avoid any physical confrontation and diffuse the situation.

Usman Khawaja intervened during a heated moment between Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas on the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. During the match, Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas were involved in a physical altercation after a shoulder bump led to a heated exchange of words.

The incident occurred while crossing paths, prompting a quick glance and words exchanged between Kohli and Konstas. Recognizing the situation, Khawaja intervened by putting his arm around Kohli. The on-field umpires also addressed the players to ensure things settled swiftly.

READ ALSO | Virat Kohli Faces Potential Ban After Shoulder Nudging Sam Konstas During Boxing Day Test

“I was walking the other way and just as I turned around, I saw them collide. I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ Sammy was going, he was on fire, his beans were obviously going. I just came to diffuse the situation,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by ABC Sport.

“I like the emotion. There was a bit of chirp going on between Sam and (Jasprit) Bumrah and Virat the whole time. But I didn’t want it to be tainted by any physical contact. I’ve known Virat a long time. We’ve been mates a long time. I was like (to Konstas), ‘Chill. I’ll talk to him. You chill, and I’ll sort this out’,” he added.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. Despite being described as an accidental bump by the 19-year-old Australian debutant, Kohli faced sanctions from on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig. According to the ICC, no formal hearing was required as Kohli willingly accepted the penalties imposed.