Watch: Fans Chant ‘Kohli-Kohli’ at Ekana, Sam Konstas Smiles & Claps

The chants were not arbitrary, because supporters still recollect the explosive moment between Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. In the series, the two sportspersons were involved in an explosive confrontation following a shoulder bump incident that soon made headlines.

The altercation generated a tempest on social media and was one of the most discussed moments of the tour. Ever since, Konstas has been inexorably associated with Kohli in the minds of cricketing fans, and therefore it was no surprise to see the Lucknow crowd erupt into "Kohli, Kohli" when they saw him at the stadium. 

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy provided fans not only with that combustible Kohli-Konstas shoulder confrontation but also witnessed Sam Konstas announcing himself in style of epic proportions. The young opener's Test career got off to a dream beginning when he took on the Indian bowlers with belligerent strokeplay and scored freely against some of the best world bowlers.

But after that initial high, his form tapered off. He was excluded from the WTC Final against South Africa and then went through a rough patch in West Indies, where he didn't deliver in three Tests.

Most began to wonder if he would be able to retain his place in the long term. But now, during the Australia A tour of India, Konstas appears to have found his form. He hit an excellent century in the first game and has been solid in the second match too, getting himself in the running for an Ashes 2025 inclusion.