"Don't Want To Remember Virat Kohli As...": Sunil Gavaskar Critical Of India Star After Sam Konstas Clash

The legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday criticised Virat Kohli for his heated altercation with young Australian debutant Sam Konstas, saying there was "no need" for the incident and the Indian star wouldn't want his legacy to be tarnished by such episode. Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct after he and Konstas bumped shoulders in the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the fourth Test here.

"I'm not sure what was the reason but there really was no need for that. We don't need to have this in any grade of cricket, certainly not at the highest level. You can play very, very competitive cricket without getting physical," Gavaskar told India Today.

"I think, we all want to remember Kohli as one of the greatest cricketers ever in the game and not as somebody, who was fined whatever it is or censured by the ICC, we don't want to want to hear that.

"So, maybe hopefully, he'll learn from that and not want to to repeat this again."

The incident happened after the 19-year-old Konstas had left India in a state of shock with his sensational stroke-play, taking down Jasprit Bumrah, on his way to a 65-ball 60.

In 10th over, while crossing over, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders and quickly turned around to glance at each other, engaging in a heated exchange of words.

The Australian opener Usman Khawaja immediately stepped in to separate them, putting his arm around Kohli. The on-field umpires also had a word with the two, as things cooled down rather quickly.

Known for his passionate on-field persona, Kohli has courted controversy in the past, often for rubbing the opposition the wrong way in the past too. He was sanctioned