Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fees and received a demerit point following an on-field altercation with Australia’s 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas during the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The incident occurred after the tenth over of the morning session when Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while crossing the pitch.
The situation escalated as both players exchanged words before Usman Khawaja and umpire Michael Gough stepped in to diffuse the tension. Kohli was charged under Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for "inappropriate physical contact," which he accepted without requiring a formal hearing.
Replays revealed that Konstas was looking at his gloves while walking across the pitch, unaware of Kohli approaching from outside the pitch. Kohli, tossing the ball, bumped into him deliberately.
Konstas later reflected on the incident, telling Channel 7, "I didn't quite realise; I was doing my gloves, then [there was] a little shoulder charge. But it happens in cricket."
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, commenting for Channel 7, criticized Kohli, saying, "Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind." Ravi Shastri, former India coach, also weighed in on Star Sports, describing Kohli's actions as "unnecessary," adding, "There’s a line, and you don’t want to overstep that."
Despite the altercation, Konstas shone on his Test debut, scoring an impressive 60 off 65 balls. His innings included a bold reverse scoop for six off Jasprit Bumrah, who has been the series' standout bowler. Konstas replaced Nathan McSweeney in the lineup and showcased his aggressive playstyle, scoring fluently against Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
This incident adds to the long list of fiery moments in India-Australia Test history. Kohli, no stranger to such controversies, has previously clashed with Australian players, including a notable altercation with then-captain Tim Paine in 2018-19 and a duel with Mitchell Johnson during the 2014 Adelaide Test.
Updated on 26th December, 2024 by MyFortune11 Team