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Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and one demerit point has been added to his disciplinary record for shoulder-bumping Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Australia vs India fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The global cricketing body announced on Thursday.
The ICC confirmed that Kohli admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. There will hence be no formal hearing.
“No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft. On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig leveled the charge,” the ICC said in its statement.
Kohli breached Article 2.12
Virat Kohli was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. Article 2.12 reads, “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match.”
Kohli and Konstas' shoulders collided while crossing
The incident occurred after the 10th over of the Australian innings when Kohli and Konstas' shoulders collided while crossing. After this, an angry Konstas argued with Kohli, after which Usman Khawaja and the on-field umpire intervened.
The Indian star turned back and threw a few words at Konstas, who didn’t shy away and gave it back to Kohli. With tempers flaring, Khawaja and the on-field umpires had to separate the duo.
However, Kohli's action didn't go well with the former cricketers, who were commentating the game. Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri called disapproved Kohli's act, calling it ‘unnecessary’.