Despite fiery clash, star cricketer hails Virat Kohli as his 'Big Idol', his name is...
Virat Kohli. (PIC - X)
New Delhi: Australia's Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli had a heated argument during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG last year. But Australia's emerging young opener still has respect for Indian batsman Virat Kohli. He himself said during an interview that I grew up watching him. He is my idol.
'I feel his wrists are incredible. The way he accesses the leg side… I've been growing up watching him play. Big idol,' Konstas said months after his on-field clash with Virat Kohli raised eyebrows.
'I think the emotions got to both of us. I didn't quite realise; I was doing my gloves, then [there was] a little shoulder charge. But it happens in cricket,' Konstas had told Channel 7 after hitting an adventurous 60 on debut that unsettled the Indians who had fought valiantly to keep the series levelled 1-1 until then. Kohli was fined 20% of his match fees and awarded one demerit point for controversially barging into the 19-year-old.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
Sam Konstas creates his perfect batter 🔥
Has he nailed it? pic.twitter.com/Vrud6Tk4hY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 24, 2025
Konstas further praised Cheteshwar Pujara and said, 'Pujara played a role in India's back-to-back Test series wins in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. Pujara's performance in the 2018-19 series, especially the centuries in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, were important for India's success.'
The Australian star also praised Australian great Steve Smith and said he is looking forward to batting with him on the West Indies tour, which begins on June 25. On Steve Smith, he said, 'He is the best in the world in my opinion and I am looking forward to batting with him in the coming days.'
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