Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point following an on-field incident involving Australian debutant Sam Konstas.
The incident occurred during the opening day of the fourth Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
The altercation took place in the 10th over of Australia’s innings when Kohli and Konstas collided while crossing paths on the pitch. Kohli reportedly bumped into the 19-year-old Konstas, leading to a brief exchange of heated words between the two players.
The situation escalated quickly, prompting intervention from Usman Khawaja and on-field umpires, who sought to calm tensions.
ICC’s Verdict on the Kohli-Konstas Incident
The International Cricket Council (ICC) classified the incident as a Level One offence, which involves inappropriate physical contact.
This classification spared Kohli from more severe penalties, such as suspension from the next match.
No formal hearing was required, as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft, indicating that he acknowledged his actions during the incident.
The ICC’s statement emphasized that Kohli’s actions fell under Article 2.12 of their Code of Conduct, which prohibits inappropriate physical contact with other players or officials.
The governing body noted that factors such as intent and context were considered when determining the severity of the breach.
Reactions and Aftermath
Kohli’s actions have drawn criticism from various quarters. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting remarked that Kohli instigated the confrontation by moving into Konstas’s path, suggesting that fielders should maintain a respectful distance from batters during play.
Meanwhile, Australian Women’s captain Alyssa Healy expressed disappointment in Kohli’s behavior, highlighting that it was unexpected from an experienced player.
Konstas himself downplayed the incident after play, stating that it was an accidental bump and part of cricket’s competitive nature.
He mentioned feeling no intimidation and focused instead on performing well in his debut match, where he later scored a commendable fifty.
