Melbourne, December 26, 2024: Virat Kohli has reportedly been fined 20% of his match fee and handed one demerit point following a heated on-field incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The report was initially published by Cricbuzz, although the International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to release an official statement regarding the penalty.
Incident Details
The altercation occurred shortly after the completion of the 10th over on Day 1 when Kohli appeared to shoulder-bump Konstas while walking across the pitch.
The brief physical contact escalated into a verbal exchange between the two players, prompting intervention from Konstas’ opening partner Usman Khawaja and on-field umpire Michael Gough to diffuse the situation.
Expert Reactions
The confrontation drew sharp criticism from cricket experts and former players. Commentating on Channel 7, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting criticized Kohli’s actions, stating:
“Have a look at where Virat walks. Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind, whatsoever.”
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also weighed in, expressing disapproval of Kohli’s conduct:
“There is a line and you don’t want to overstep that line,” Shastri said.
Adding to the criticism, former ICC umpire Simon Taufel explained that Kohli’s behavior could potentially be categorized as “inappropriate physical contact” under the ICC’s Code of Conduct.
Awaiting Official Confirmation
While Cricbuzz has reported the punishment, the ICC has not yet officially confirmed any disciplinary action against Kohli. Further updates are expected from the governing body as the series progresses.
Match Situation
The incident did not overshadow Sam Konstas’ impressive performance on debut. The 19-year-old opener scored a fluent half-century, helping Australia post a competitive total of 311/6 at stumps on Day 1. Kohli’s behavior, however, has now drawn attention off the field as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains fiercely contested.
