The Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne saw sparks flying on day one itself, as Virat Kohli and Australian debutant and opener Sam Konstas were involved in a physical altercation on the pitch.
Choosing to bat after winning the toss in the fourth Test, the Aussies got off to a strong start with Konstas scoring a fifty, and putting on 89 runs for the first wicket with Usman Khawaja (57). At the end of the 10th over, the 19-year-old, who was batting on 27 then, and Kohli bumped shoulders while crossing over. The two turned around and had a heated exchange of words, before Khawaja stepped in to separate them. The on-field umpires, too, had a word with them.
The debutant, however, chose to play down the incident while talking to Channel 7 later. “I think the emotions got to both of us. I didn’t quite realise, I was doing my gloves, then a little shoulder charge, but it happens in cricket.”
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The teenager was finally trapped leg before wicket by Ravindra Jadeja.
Virat Kohli could face disciplinary action
Konstas might have downplayed the incident, but not all were so forgiving. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting slammed the star Indian batter for instigating Konstas. “Have a look where Virat walks. Virat’s walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation,” Ponting said on Channel 7. “No doubt in my mind whatsoever.”
“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer,” Ponting added.
What does ICC’s Code of Conduct say?
The ICC’s Code of Conduct states that “any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire”.
A Level 1 offence would likely mean a match fee fine. But, Level 2 offences carry a penalty of three to four demerit points. Four demerit points would lead to a suspension of one Test.
A report in ‘cricket.com.au’ said that match referee Andy Pycroft is certain to review the incident.
Australia were 176/2 at tea, but suffered a mini-collapse in the middle order to be reduced to 303/6 at the time of filing this report. Jasprit Bumrah once again led from the front, with 3/72.
