NEW DELHI: Former England pacer Steve Harmison has criticised Virat Kohli for his on-field altercation with debutant Sam Konstas during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, stating that the star Indian player should have been banned for his actions.
Harmison also issued a stern warning to Australian teenager Konstas, advising him to avoid provoking opposition players. He stressed upon the fact that such actions could invite unnecessary trouble, especially in high-pressure situations. Harmison pointed out that Konstas will face even greater challenges against England in the upcoming Ashes series.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Kohli got one demerit point and was fined 20% of his match fee for making physical contact with 19-year-old Aussie opener Konstas during the Boxing-Day Test at MCG. The Indian star appeared to deliberately shoulder Konstas after the end of the over. The incident quickly escalated, with Kohli and Konstas exchanging intense stares before the on-field umpires intervened to defuse the tension.
Harmison openly expressed his love for Kohli but categorically stated that one should not cross the line.
“What happened with Kohli there – Kohli was bang out of order. Virat Kohli should have been banned for what he did. You know how much I love Virat Kohli and what he has done for the game, but there’s a line, and you do not cross it,” Harmison told the talkSPORT Cricket podcast.
Harmison urged Konstas to focus on honing his defensive technique rather than trying to emulate David Warner’s aggressive style. He expressed confidence in England’s bowlers, stating he would gladly see the teenager opening against them in the Ashes. While acknowledging Konstas’s potential, Harmison stressed the importance of prioritising technical development to succeed at the highest level.
“Sam has got the scoops, he’s got the big shots. But does he have the defensive technique for Test match cricket against the world’s best? That’s something he needs to figure out. If he gets it right, he has a great chance because he can be aggressive and has a good mindset for attacking the ball. But I just think he wants to be David Warner, and technically, he’s nowhere near as good as Warner,” Harmison said.
“If he’s opening the batting against England, I’d be happy. I really would. But he’s only 19, and he’s going to improve. However, if he continues to be aggressive verbally, he’ll face consequences. India is one thing, but the Ashes – with all the pressure it brings – is another level entirely. I’ve no issue with him having a go at India; he tried to rile them up because they were wasting time, and India got Khawaja out and won. But the Ashes will be a different challenge,” he added.
