Fined 20% of Match Fee and 1 Demerit Point
Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee and given one demerit point for shoulder-bumping Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the MCG Test on Thursday. The decision followed a hearing by match referee Andy Pycroft, where Kohli admitted to inappropriate conduct.
Code of Conduct Breach: Article 2.12
Kohli violated Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, or any other person.” The charge was filed by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.
Cricket’s Rules on Physical Contact
Cricket is a non-contact sport, and any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited. The ICC assesses the seriousness of the breach based on:
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Intent | Whether the contact was deliberate, reckless, or negligent. |
| Force | The strength of the contact made. |
| Injury | Any injury resulting from the contact. |
| Person | Who the contact was made with (player, umpire, etc.). |
The Incident: Kohli and Konstas Confrontation
The incident took place at the end of the 10th over on Day 1 of the Test. Kohli shoulder-bumped Konstas in front of a 90,000-strong crowd, leading to a confrontation. Usman Khawaja intervened to calm the players. The incident sparked backlash, with Ricky Ponting calling for sanctions.
Reactions to Kohli’s Actions
Former India coach Ravi Shastri criticized Kohli’s actions, saying, “There is a line and you don’t want to overstep it.” Konstas, however, downplayed the incident, saying, “It happens.” Media outlets called Kohli an “antagonist” in the confrontation.
Demerit Points and Consequences
This is Kohli’s first offence in the past 24 months. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points in 24 months, it leads to suspension points, which can result in a ban from one Test match, two ODIs, or two T20Is. Kohli’s demerit point will stay on his record for two years.
Precedents and Match Referee’s Role
Kohli’s sanction aligns with previous decisions. In June, Bangladesh’s Tanizim Hasan Shakib was fined 15% of his match fee for a similar incident. Andy Pycroft, one of the most experienced referees, handled Kohli’s case, marking his 100th Test as a referee.
Kohli’s Future Record
Kohli’s demerit point does not affect his future availability at this stage. However, any future breaches could lead to more significant sanctions. Kohli’s disciplinary record will be monitored over the next two years.
