Indian stalwart Virat Kohli grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG as he seemingly made a deliberate physical contact with the Australian debutant Sam Konstas.

During the break between the 10th and 11th overs of the Australian innings, Konstas and Usman Khawaja were changing ends when Kohli walked towards the young opener and gave him a shoulder push mid-pitch.

The 19-year-old Konstas did not back down and turned to confront Kohli as the duo exchanged some heated words, prompting other players and umpires to intervene.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who was on commentary at the time, slammed Kohli for his behaviour as he felt it was a deliberate act from the Indian star.

"Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever," Ponting said on Channel Seven.

"I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.

"It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn't even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer."

Sam Konstas was on 27 when Kohli tried to unsettle him but the youngster didn’t lose his focus and went to hit a half-century off just 52 balls. He was eventually trapped in front of the wicket by Ravindra Jadeja for 60 off 65 balls, including 6 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Konstas received his maiden baggy green cap from former skipper Mark Taylor at the age of 19 years and 85 days, making him the fourth youngest Test debutant for Australia. With this debut knock, he became the second youngest Aussie to score a half-century in Test cricket.