Australian cricketer Sam Konstas reignited a controversy with Virat Kohli by performing a provocative ‘shoulder’ dance move on Day 5 of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
The incident, captured during the 52nd over of India’s second innings, featured Konstas near the boundary rope, engaging with fans and mimicking a previous altercation with Kohli, much to the crowd’s amusement. Kohli was later found to have breached the ICC Code of Conduct Article 2.12 due to the original incident.
In the match, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant collaborated effectively, maintaining India’s pursuit of a 340-run target. By tea, India had progressed to 112/3 from 54 overs. Jaiswal was notably solid, scoring 63 from 159 deliveries, achieving his second fifty of the match with a balanced attack and defence. Pant contributed 28 runs off 93 balls, demonstrating considerable restraint.
The partnership brought India closer to a potential draw in the Melbourne Test, with the new ball still 26 overs away. The post-lunch session saw Jaiswal executing consecutive cut shots for boundaries off Scott Boland, followed by a similar hit in Boland’s subsequent over.
Pant also targeted Boland with a sweep for four, and Jaiswal managed another boundary off Mitchell Starc. A difficult delivery from Starc hit Jaiswal, prompting an Australian review that narrowly confirmed the umpire’s decision, with the ball barely brushing the top of the leg stump.
Read: Travis Head’s Controversial Celebration Sparks Controversy
As the ball aged and the Australian bowlers displayed fatigue, Jaiswal and Pant carefully sought runs while staying composed and patient. Jaiswal’s second fifty came from a skilful flick off Nathan Lyon, marking his seventh boundary of the innings. Careful after earlier criticism, Pant smartly flicked Starc through fine leg for four. The session ended with the duo walking off to tea after a resilient display of defensive cricket, keeping India’s hopes alive.
