Australian media has lashed out at Indian batsman Virat Kohli, calling him 'Clown Kohli' after the star batsman got into an altercation with teenaged Australian opener Sam Konstas on Thursday on the first day of the Boxing Day Test.

 

A video shot during a break in the covers shows Virat intentionally crashing into Sam's shoulder on the side of the pitch. Kohli then turned around and started challenging the young batter.

 

Later, Virat was fined 20 per cent of his match fee. 

 

Despite getting punished by ICC, an Australian newspaper called Virat  'Clown Kohli' on its front page, complete with the batting maestro depicted in a photo with a clown nose. The word coward was also used for him. 

 

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri bashed Australian media on Star Sports, saying: "This is expected in their home country. I wish our country would support our players more strongly in such situations. I'm not surprised by this behaviour, especially since Australia hasn't won here in 14–15 years. The last time they won a Test at the MCG was back in 2011. So, when they get a chance to go wild, they take it."

 

"I've been to Australia many times. There, it's like the whole country stands behind their team—not just the fans but also the media. I'm not surprised because I sense their desperation. If Australia were already leading the series 3–0 or 2–0, the tone of the headlines might have been different," Shastri added.

 

The second day of the Boxing Day Test is going on in MCG, where Australia was bowled out, scoring 474 runs in the first innings. India is currently playing at 111/2.