Virat Kohli said sorry to Sam Konstas? Michael Clarke claims matter between duo is settled

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke made a big statement on the Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas incident during the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Melbourne. Michael Clarke defended Virat Kohli's shoulder barge, describing 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 his tracks to shoulder-barge Konstas in Australia's first innings. The ICC fined Virat Kohli 20% of his match fee and issued him one demerit point.

Tough, Aggressive Cricketer on the Field - Michael Clarke on Virat Kohli

Speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast, Michael Clarke said that Kohli's frustration with the young Australian opener was due to a lack of respect towards Jasprit Bumrah.

“Virat, such a senior player. Tough, aggressive cricketer on the field – will not take a backward step, never has through his whole career," Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

"When I think about my time being on the field, being a senior player when you see a youngster come in, I think Virat was getting frustrated with the lack of respect that Sam was showing the best bowler in the world in Bumrah. I think that’s what frustrated Virat," he added.

Virat Kohli Would Have Spoken to Sam Konstas After the Game - Michael Clarke

Former Australian players and local media criticized Virat Kohli after the incident and even labeled 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 have likely spoken to the youngster after the game.

“I know Virat as well, he would have spoken to Sam after the game. Virat’s a great guy. So those two would have sorted it out. I don’t know (if) Virat would have said sorry, whatever it was. Virat is not a nasty person. So that would be fixed 100%," Clarke said.

“I think it was Virat sticking up for his team and I know you can’t bump shoulder to shoulder, and he’s been fined for it. It was more, I reckon Virat was frustrated that ‘how dare you disrespect the best bowler in the world like that and think you can get away for it. So his mind was thinking he was sticking up for his team," he added.

Virat Kohli Faced a Lukewarm Reception from the Melbourne Crowd

After his confrontation with Konstas, Kohli faced a lukewarm reception from the Melbourne crowd for the remainder of the match. He scored just 41 runs across both innings in India's 184-run loss. The right-handed batter has an average under 28 after four matches.

His form had been in question prior to the series, following a subpar 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.

Also read: Rishabh Pant set to be dropped for Sydney Test, replacement finalized