Former India captain Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee and handed a demerit point following a physical altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The incident occurred between the 10th and 11th overs of Australia’s innings when Kohli appeared to deliberately shoulder Konstas. The ICC charged Kohli under Article 2.12 of its Code of Conduct, which prohibits inappropriate physical contact during an international match. Kohli accepted the sanction, negating the need for a formal hearing.
Mixed Reactions to Kohli’s Actions
The incident drew criticism from former cricketers like Ricky Ponting, Michael Vaughan, and Ravi Shastri, who deemed Kohli’s actions inappropriate and reflective of India’s frustration amid Konstas’ aggressive debut performance. Ponting stated, “Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation,” emphasizing that fielders should avoid obstructing batsmen. Shastri noted the importance of maintaining the spirit of the game, cautioning against crossing the line.
Konstas’ Response and Australia’s Dominance
Konstas dismissed the incident as “part of the game,” focusing instead on his innings. His composed knock, along with contributions from Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, propelled Australia to a strong position, closing the day at 311/6. Smith remained unbeaten on 68, poised for another big score.
The incident underscores the heightened emotions and intensity that characterize high-stakes cricket.
