The spirit of Christmas has done nothing to improve Virat Kohli's temper

Just days after the Indian superstar took exception to local media when he arrived in Melbourne, Kohli had an on-field flashpoint with Australian debutant Sam Konstas early in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting had no doubt Kohli initiated the contact, bumping into the teenager in the 10th over, and Ponting expects the umpires and referee to have a good look at the incident.

In the early stages of the day's final session Australia's 217 for two, with Marnus Labuschagne joining the dismissed openers in bringing up a half century.

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