- Indian star was fined for bullying Aussie teenager
- There was more drama on the pitch on day two of Test
Controversial Indian star Virat Kohli has been dragged into another drama at the MCG after a shocking lapse in security allowed a pitch invader to storm the field and hug him on day two of the Boxing Day Test.
Play was briefly interrupted on Friday morning when the spectator in an Indian shirt bolted onto the field and touched Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma, who appeared furious as the invader almost collided with him.
Security eventually got to the man, but not before Kohli was forced to awkwardly interact with the unwanted fan.
The incident came after Kohli was branded a villain by fans in Australia and India after he drove his shoulder into teenage debutant Sam Konstas in an ugly clash between overs on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith‘s late-career revival is continuing with the star veteran posting his 34th Test century to power Australia to 7-454 against a lacklustre India at the MCG.
After starting day two of the Boxing Day Test at 6-311, Australia added another 1-143 on Friday morning to wear down the sloppy tourists in the field.
Pictured: A security guard (second from left) arrives far too late to stop a pitch invader (left) from interfering with Indian star Virat Kohli (second from right)
The intruder was able to hug Kohli thanks to a worrying lapse in security after the Indian star was caught up in the most controversial moment of the summer so far on Boxing Day
Kohli is pictured ramming his shoulder into Aussie debutant Sam Konstas in an ugly clash that saw him branded a villain in Australia and India
Smith brought up a ton in back-to-back Tests when he drove Nitish Kumar for four midway through the first session of the day.
He was out bowled by Akash Deep in bizarre circumstances when he charged the bowler and nicked the ball, only to see it trickle behind him and dislodge one of his bails.
Captain Pat Cummins (49) also added valuable runs, sharing a 112-run seventh-wicket partnership with Smith.
The 35-year-old arrived at the MCG coming off scoring his first Test century since June 2023 when he hit 101 in the rained-out match at the Gabba.
It was Smith’s 11th Test century against India, adding to his 12 tons made in Ashes battles.
Smith overtook England star Joe Root (10) for the most Test centuries scored against India.
It was also Smith’s fifth Test century at the MCG, a venue where he has 1209 runs at an average of more than 86.
The former Australia captain seemed to be facing his cricketing mortality after making a combined 19 runs across the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series.
Kohli touched another Aussie star on Friday – but this time he was congratulating Steve Smith (right) on his century while Pat Cummins looked on
It extended his drought without a Test century into 18 months.
It came after teenager Sam Konstas smashed an unforgettable 60 to begin his international career on Thursday, bravely taking on India’s strike weapon Jasprit Bumrah (3-97).
Bumrah 97 runs, from 28 overs, is the most he’s conceded in an innings in his glittering 44-Test career
Usman Khawaja (57) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) also made starts, making it the first time Australia’s top-four had all passed 50 in the same innings since the first Test in Pakistan in March 2022.
Cummins won his first toss of the series, electing to bat first to escape the sweltering conditions on Thursday when the temperature soared to 39C.
The MCG has become a bowler-friendly venue since Scott Boland’s famous debut against England in 2021.
Only two totals of more than 300 have been posted across the three Boxing Day Tests prior to this one.
Kohli, who Konstas idolised growing up, was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for his shoulder bump on the 19-year-old.
A villain of the Australian crowds this summer, India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj fired off words to Konstas multiple times.
“I was just trying to get in the contest and whoever I was facing, just trying to bring the best version of myself,” Konstas said.
“Obviously it got a bit heated at times, which was good for me.
“Just feel like that brings the best out of me, and hopefully I go well next innings.”