The back page of Friday’s The West Australian has gone viral, with Indian fans riled up over the depiction of Virat Kohli as a clown.

Kohli clashed with Australian teen debutant Sam Konstas in a fiery incident on Boxing Day, but escaped any serious punishment.

The former Indian captain went out of his way to drop a shoulder into Konstas as he took the attack to the Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, in the first session of the Boxing Day Test.

This newspaper’s back page showed Kohli with a clown nose and the headline ‘Clown Kohli’.

The coverage has received a massive response on social media from Kohli’s staunch supporters and Indian media outlets.

Kohli was docked 20 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point over the clash because match referee Andy Pycroft classed it a level one offence.

It comes as some of the game’s greats say Kohli’s punishment was too light, including former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who feels letting Kohli off the hook could have flow-on effects.

“Personally, I don’t think it is harsh enough. Let’s have a think about the enormity yesterday, this is probably the most-watched day of cricket all around the world,” he told Channel 7.

“Imagine if that happens in a grade game on the weekend. I think people will think that is almost acceptable now.

“He is a role model, he is someone that the cricketing world looks up to, so I personally don’t think that the fine was harsh enough.”