Kohli's 'Boxing Day' shoulder charge on Aussie teen Konstas gets him a fine
Kohli and Konstas turned to face each other and exchanged words, prompting umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja to step in to defuse the moment.
Kohli and Konstas turned to face each other and exchanged words, prompting umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja to step in to defuse the moment.
Kohli and Konstas turned to face each other and exchanged words, prompting umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja to step in to defuse the moment.
Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee for bumping into Australia's teenage debutant, Sam Konstas. The ICC (International Cricket Council) has also awarded the Indian star a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of its Code of Conduct.
The controversial incident occurred at the end of the 10th over on Day one of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Melbourne. Kohli bumped into Konstas's shoulder, and a heated exchange followed while Usman Khawaja tried to pacify the two.
Kohli has been fined in accordance with Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to: “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match”.
Kohli accepted the sanction proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft after the charge was levelled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.
Kohli drew the ire of former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, and his former coach Ravi Shastri also did not approve of the conduct.
The 19-year-old Australian went on to impress with his unorthodox strokeplay that included a six from a reverse scoop off Jasprit Bumrah. He made 60 off 65 before being trapped in front by Ravindra Jadeja. Australia were 311/6 at stumps after fifties from its top-four (Khwaja, 57; Marnus Labuschagne, 72; Steven Smith 68 not out).