Controversial Indian star Virat Kohli was dragged into yet another drama at the MCG after a shocking security breach allowed a pitch invader to storm onto the pitch and hug him on the second day of the Boxing Day Test.
Play was briefly interrupted on Friday morning when a spectator in an Indian jersey ran onto the field and touched Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, who appeared furious as the invader nearly collided with him.
Security finally reached the man, but not before Kohli was forced to awkwardly interact with the unwanted fan.
The incident came after Kohli was branded a villain by fans in Australia and India after he shoulder-hit teenage debutant Sam Konstas in an ugly clash between overs on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith's late career resurgence continues with the star veteran registering his 34th Test century to power Australia to 7-454 against a lackluster India at the MCG.
After starting the second day of the Boxing Day Test with 6-311, Australia added another 1-143 on Friday morning to wear down the sloppy tourists in the field.
Pictured: A security guard (second from left) arrives too late to prevent a pitch invader (left) from interfering with Indian star Virat Kohli (second from right)
The intruder was able to hug Kohli thanks to a worrying security breach after the Indian star became embroiled in the most controversial moment of the summer so far on Boxing Day.
Kohli is shown shoulder-bumping Australian debutant Sam Konstas in an ugly clash that saw him branded a villain in Australia and India.
Smith gained hugely in consecutive Tests when he led Nitish Kumar for four midway through the first session of the day.
Akash Deep got the better of him in strange circumstances when he charged at the bowler and clipped the ball, only to see it slide behind him and dislodge one of his bails.
Captain Pat Cummins (49) also added valuable runs, sharing a 112-run seventh-wicket partnership with Smith.
The 35-year-old arrived at the MCG after scoring his first Test century since June 2023 when he hit 101 in the rained-out match at the Gabba.
It was Smith's 11th Test century against India, adding to his 12 tons made in the Ashes battles.
Smith surpassed England star Joe Root (10) for most Test centuries scored against India.
It was also Smith's fifth Test century at the MCG, where he has 1209 runs at an average of over 86.
The former Australia captain seemed to be facing his cricketing mortality after making a combined 19 runs in the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar series.
Kohli touched another Australian star on Friday, but this time he was congratulating Steve Smith (right) on his century as Pat Cummins looked on.
He extended his drought without a Test century to 18 months.
It came after teenager Sam Konstas smashed an unforgettable 60 to start his international career on Thursday, bravely taking on India's attacking weapon Jasprit Bumrah (3-97).
Bumrah's 97 runs, from 28 overs, is the most he has conceded in an innings in his brilliant 44-Test career.
Usman Khawaja (57) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) also made starts, marking the first time Australia's top four have crossed 50 in the same innings since the first Test in Pakistan in March 2022.
Cummins won his first pitch of the series, electing to bat first to escape the sweltering conditions on Thursday when the temperature soared to 39C.
The MCG has become a bowler-friendly venue since Scott Boland's famous debut against England in 2021.
Only two totals of over 300 have been posted in the three Boxing Day Tests prior to this one.
Kohli, whom Konstas idolized as a child, was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for the blow to the 19-year-old's shoulder.
A villain of Australian crowds this summer, India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj hurled words at Konstas several times.
“I was just trying to get into the competition and whoever I was up against, I was just trying to bring the best version of myself,” Konstas said.
“Obviously it got a little hot at times, which was good for me.
“I just feel like it brings out the best in me and I hope to do well in the next innings.”