The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a fine on Indian right-handed batter Virat Kohli for bumping his shoulder with Australia debutant Konstas during day one of the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The incident occurred at the end of the 10th over on Day 1, when Kohli bumped shoulders with Australia debutant Konstas, leading to a heated exchange between the two players, with Australian opener Usman Khawaja attempting to mediate.
According to ICC’s code of conduct article 2.12, “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match.”
However, Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft, so no formal hearing was needed.
The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.
Meanwhile, Kohli’s actions drew criticism from cricket experts, including former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and former India coach Ravi Shastri.
“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation… 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,” Ponting remarked.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri also disapproved, saying, “There is a line and you don’t want to overstep that line.”
Despite the incident, Konstas, who impressed on his Test debut with a knock of 60 off 65 balls, shrugged off the encounter with Kohli.
“I think he accidentally bumped me… just the tension of cricket,” Konstas said. “I was lucky enough to get a few runs today.”
Konstas’ entertaining knock, which included six fours and two sixes, was ended by Ravindra Jadeja, who trapped him in front, dismissing him and ending an 89-run opening stand.
Australia’s top four batters all reached half-centuries, but none could convert them into bigger scores.
Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 68 as Australia ended Day 1 at 311/6.
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking three wickets for 75 runs.
