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Sam Konstas explains Virat Kohli incident in ‘good for me’ admission over heated debut

If you ask Sam Konstas, the incident between him and Virat Kohli was an accident and "just cricket".

But when it comes to India's aggressive approach against him, they played right into his hands.

The opening batter was subject to the intense actions of India as he tore apart the world's best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, in a sensational display.

AS IT HAPPENED: Australia vs India fourth Test, day one

Mohammed Siraj's fifth over of Boxing Day became a real flashpoint of day one.

On the fourth ball, Konstas ran down the wicket and attempted to hit Siraj down the ground.

It went back to Siraj who batted the ball to cover.

The fast bowler then proceeded to give him a gobful. Then Kohli, standing near the stumps, proceeded to stare down Konstas. Pity Konstas wasn't looking in his direction.

Mohammed Siraj gives Sam Konstas a talking to.  Fox Cricket

"It's getting hot in the centre," Harsha Bhogle said on Fox Cricket.

With his trademark swagger, Konstas then gave himself room and cut Siraj through point for a boundary.

"No fear of failure … he pounced on that, just short of a length … this is exhilarating," Kerry O'Keeffe said.

Sam Konstas explains Virat Kohli incident in 'good for me' admission over heated debut

Virat Kohli stares down Sam Konstas.  Fox Cricket

The next ball was pulled for a single.

Then came the flashpoint when Konstas and Kohli made contact to which the latter is likely to receive a 20 per cent fine from his match fee.

With a smirk, Konstas addressed the incident in his post-match press conference.

"I was doing my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me," he said.

"I think that's just cricket, the tension."

At the time, Konstas sure seemed fired up over the incident though, as was Kohli.

But it didn't impact him. He was on 27 at the time and then bludgeoned his way to 60. This included hitting Bumrah for six at long-on.

The next ball was a four through gully. It was a procession in how to put the pressure back on the bowlers.

It seemed after the first over, Konstas' mantra changed. He played and missed a number of deliveries as Bumrah showed his class. Importantly though he kept playing down the line of off-stump, never fishing for the ball and catching the outside edge.

Then it seemed the attitude was to attack instead of defend, with the inevitable likely to happen if the latter continued.

Quite simply, as the runs piled up, India became more frustrated, and it was just what he wanted.

"For me I was 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 heated at times which was good for me, I feel like that brings the best out of me and hopefully I go well next innings."

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