Virat Kohli escapes ban after heated exchange with Sam Konstas in Boxing Day Test, but batted with…

On By Littum




Former India captain Virat Kohli has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee and awarded a point in the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne following a shoulder barge incident with debutant Sam Konstas on Thursday. The incident happened after the end of the 10th over of the Australian innings when the players crossed over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders as they moved across the pitch. Both players quickly turned to look at each other and engaged in a heated exchange with Konstas’ teammate Usman Khawaja stepping in to separate them.

The referees on the pitch also had a chat with the two. “No formal hearing was necessary as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft. On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig leveled the charge,” the ICC said in a statement. After the incident, many former players predicted that Kohli may be suspended, but that has not happened as he has been charged with a level 1 offence. Level 2 offenses carry a penalty of three to four demerit points. Four demerit points would lead to a test suspension.

The ICC’s Code of Conduct states that “any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will be in breach of this regulation if they knowingly, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or overrun another player or umpire”.

Speaking to reporters after Stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, Konstas said Kohli bumped into him and it was not intentional.

“Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me, that’s cricket and can happen with excitement,” said the teenager. “I think the emotions got to both of us,” Konstas had told ‘Channel 7’ during the second session.

“I didn’t quite realize that I did my gloves and then a little shoulder charge, but that happens in cricket,” he added.

Konstas, batting on 27 at the time, went on to hit Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six in the next over. The teenager scored a stunning fifty on debut before Ravindra Jadeja caught him leg before the wicket.

Konstas might have dismissed it as routine, but former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting accused Kohli of instigating the exchange. He said Kohli could face disciplinary action for it. “Look where Virat goes. Virat has gone a full pitch to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind at all,” Ponting said on Channel 7 while watching the replay of the incident.

“I have no doubt that the umpires and the umpire will have a good look at it. Fielders should not be near the batsman at that time.

“It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, didn’t even know there was anyone in front of him. The man on the screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer,” Ponting added.

With PTI inputs

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