Virat Kohli Escapes Ban After Boxing Day Test Dispute, Faces Fine

Photo : X / @7Cricket

Virat Kohli, the former captain of India’s cricket team, has been fined 20% of his match fee and given one demerit point after a shoulder bump with Australian player Sam Konstas during the 4th Test in Melbourne. The incident happened on the first day of the Boxing Day Test, after the 10th over of the Australian innings. Both players were walking across the field when they accidentally bumped shoulders.

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Right after the bump, both Kohli and Konstas turned around and started arguing. Usman Khawaja, an Australian player, quickly stepped in to separate them. The on-field umpires, including Joel Wilson, Michael Gough, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and Shawn Craig, spoke to both players. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said that no formal hearing was needed because Kohli accepted the fine and punishment.

Kohli did not get suspended because the incident was classified as a Level 1 offence. A Level 1 offence carries a fine and one demerit point. If it had been a Level 2 offence, Kohli could have been suspended from one match. The ICC's rules say that players should not make physical contact with others on the field unless it is part of the game.

Konstas later said that the bump was not intentional. He said, "Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me. That happens in cricket when emotions are high." He explained that he didn’t even realize it had happened at first and said it was just a part of the game.

Konstas, who was batting on 27 at the time, hit two boundaries and a six off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling after the incident. Konstas went on to score 54 runs before being out.

Some people, like former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, blamed Kohli for starting the argument. Ponting said that Kohli had walked across the pitch on purpose and made the confrontation happen. He added, “I am sure the umpires will look at this. Fielders shouldn’t be near the batsman like that.”

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