A rogue bump from rival veteran Virat Kohli on Aussie teenager Sam Konstas has sent Indian media into a frenzy, with fears the former captain will miss the fifth and final Test of this summer’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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As the 19-year-old debutant carted the touring bowling attack to all parts of the MCG on Boxing Day, Kohli became increasingly frustrated with Konstas’ bold stroke play, before enforcing front-on contact with the opener at the end of the 10th over.

Subsequently, it looks entirely possible the 36-year-old could miss the Sydney Test on January 3 next month, on the back of his forceful contact with an opposition player.

The Times of India likened the interaction to one of which you would usually see on the Melbourne Cricket Ground; only playing in the AFL, not cricket.

“The encounter resembled a scene from an Australian rules football game. The two players (Konstas and Kohli) bumped into each other and exchanged words,” wrote the Indian publication.

“Usman Khawaja, Konstas’ opening partner, intervened to escalate the situation. Umpire Michael Gough also stepped in to mediate.

“Neither player backed down during the exchange.”

It’s set to be match referee Andy Pycroft who will hand down the incoming sanction to Kohli, applying the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Code of Conduct to the incident.

The body’s bylaws prevent any inappropriate, physical contact with umpires or rival players. The Times of India also noted that a Level 2 offence could be enough to see him miss the New Year’s Test in New South Wales, while a Level 1 offence would likely only see a fine.

Elsewhere, the Hindustan Times were full of praise for Konstas and his ability to rattle Kohli in a way that fans haven’t seen in years.

“Debutant Sam Konstas rocked India in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with his imaginative batting,” the article begun by saying.

“His audacious way of charging down the track and then reverse-ramping the world’s best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, got India unsettled on Day 1 of the fourth Test match.

“(After the 10th over) Kohli picked up the ball and moved purposefully in Konstas’ direction. The Australian teenager did not change direction, and neither did the Indian legend, as they ended up bumping into each other.

“Kohli turned back and hurled a few words, and so did Konstas. Khawaja was quick to spot the tension rising. He separated the two by putting his arm around Kohli. The on-field umpires also had a word Kohli and Konstas.”

And writing for the Indian Express, Sriram Veera was blunt on the two-person encounter, conceding it was far from a good look for the former leader.

“It looked bad. Virat Kohli, a former captain, cut across from his initial position on the leg side of play, with the ball in his hand, walked beside the pitch where Sam Konstas was returning back from the other end. And the shoulder barge happened,” Veera wrote on Thursday afternoon.

The journalist also pointed out that Kohli was once cited for a very similar incident involving South African Beuran Hendricks during a T20I in Bengalaru, where he received a demerit point and an official warning.

The fact this is not the first time Kohli has initiated such contact may be of concern for the Indian middle-order batter, given how important the fifth Test in Sydney shapes up to be.